Zhenge
Zhao(left), Deputy Director-General of China Council for
the Promotion of International Trade and China Chamber
of International Commerce converses with Peter Ford, General
Manager of APM Terminals during a tour of the Kingston
Port by some 60 top Executives of major Chinese Companies,
on Friday, Feb. 4
A
Chinese delegation comprising 60 top business executives who
toured the Port of Kingston yesterday (February 4), have expressed
satisfaction and given the assurance that they would utilize
the facilities in the near future.
Deputy Director-General of the China Council for the Promotion
of International Trade, and China Chamber of International
Commerce, Zhenge Zhao who spoke on behalf of the delegation,
informed President of the Port Authority of Jamaica, Noel
Hylton that the group was impressed with the facilities and
would explore the possibility of doing more business with
Jamaica.
Meanwhile Mr. Hylton announced that a Memorandum of Understanding
was recently signed with the Chinese national shipping line,
China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) for a feasibility study
to be conducted to determine further development of a transshipment
terminal, as well as a logistic centre. “We are anxious
to develop a Logistic Centre for the region,” he said.
Mr. Hylton said the purpose of the tour was to demonstrate
the capabilities of the Port of Kingston, and the fact that
the port was among the largest in the world, with the capability
of operating at world standards. He said the tour was also
intended to begin exploring business opportunities. “So
far I am very pleased with most of the discussions that have
taken place and I believe they will materialize in the future,”
Mr. Hylton said.
Meanwhile,
Mr. Zhao also pointed out that the Chinese had held very good
discussions with Jamaican and Caribbean businesses and had
already forged some meaningful partnerships during the China-Caribbean
Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum and Trade Fair 2005,
which ends today (February 5).
“China and Jamaica businesses enjoy a bright future,”
he said, adding that this was the first visit to Jamaica for
many of the executives on the tour, but that it would certainly
not be the last.
Mr. Zhao also used the opportunity to extend an invitation
to Mr. Hylton to visit the Ports in China and to establish
a relationship. The delegation represented industries such
as telecommunication, real estate, construction, appliances,
electronics and manufacturers.
