CHINESE
COMPANY TO EVALUATE RAILWAY SYSTEM
 |
| Transport
and Works Minister, Robert Pickersgill (right), and Chairman
of the China National Machinery and Equipment Company,
Ren Hongbin, sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the
revitalization of Jamaica's railway, while Foreign Affairs
and Foreign Trade Minister, KD. Knight looks on. The signing
took place at the opening of the first ever China-Caribbean
Trade Fair at the National Arena in Kingston yesterday
(Wed. Feb. 2). |
A Chinese
company will arrive in Jamaica, at the earliest possible time,
to evaluate the island’s defunct railway system and
determine if they can revitalize it.
Minister of Transport and Works Robert Pickersgill on Wednesday
(February 2), signed a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf
of the Jamaican government with the Chinese company at the
China-Caribbean Economic & Trade Cooperation Forum and
Trade Fair 2005 held at the National Arena from February 2
to February 5.
“We have every confidence that once it is feasible,
the People’s Republic of China have not only the expertise
but the experience and indeed I am convinced they have the
wherewithal to revitalize the JRC,” Mr. Pickersgill
stated, adding, “it is a long time since it has been
on the privatization block and nothing has really materialized,
so I am happy that yet another opportunity has arrived and
we would like to grasp it”.
The Minister however pointed out that he was “cautiously
optimistic”. He stated that, “I know that many
Jamaicans are looking forward to the resuscitation of the
railway and of course there are prospects for it in terms
of tourism attraction but there are still many bridges to
be crossed.”
On the issue of trade through the use of the island’s
ports, the Minister also announced that a new logistics/ distribution
hub was to be developed for goods from around the world entering
the Americas. He informed that this would be a modern commercial
free zone situated on approximately 40 hectares adjacent to
the Port of Kingston.
This
centre, Minister Pickersgill said would provide logistics
services to companies that wished to use Jamaica as a distribution
hub or a base for manufacturing and export to the region.
“We are convinced that there is a need for this facility
and that Jamaica offers the best geographic location being
in the centre of the Caribbean. We are also fortunately located
on the North-South and the East-West shipping and airline
routes between North and South America,” he said.
The addition of logistics and distribution hub capabilities,
Mr. Pickersgill noted, was a natural enhancement of the island’s
capacity to serve the needs of major traders within the Americas.
“We believe that significant opportunities exist for
mutually rewarding investments in the port development and
would invite our special guests as well as the regional representatives,
not only to explore these possibilities, but to act upon them,”
he stated.
In recommending the port facility to the Chinese delegation,
the Minister said in 2004, 1,288 ship calls were made to the
container terminal delivering 1.1 million TEU’s (Twenty-Foot
Equivalent Units). He said this was a landmark achievement,
reflecting a growth of 10 per cent over the previous year.
Clients of the terminal include prominent international shipping
companies, such as Zim and China Shipping Lines.
Mr. Pickersgill said there was scope for rewarding participation
in the development plans for the airport. “I am aware
that the Chinese delegation includes members focusing on aviation
matters and will no doubt take the opportunity, as will regional
delegations, to explore these possibilities,” he said.
The Minister concluded by stating that Jamaica was serious
about pursuing new and expanded opportunities for trade and
investment.
|
