Kingston, October 21

“Jamaica’s investment environment and policies are friendly,” according to Vice Mayor of Shenzhen, Mr. Chen Yingchun. Mr. Yingchun is in Jamaica with a delegation from China to continue talks about trade and investment relationships with China and Jamaica.

The Mayor who was speaking at a breakfast meeting at the Hilton Kingston on Friday also expressed optimism that there may be opportunities for Jamaica and Shenzhen to be involved in businesses along the lines of film, real estate, tourism and shipping.

The Vice Mayor reported that Shenzhen has developed over the last 25 years, attracting US$40 billion in investment and has over 100 Fortune 500 companies presently doing business in that city. “Shenzhen is open to do business with Jamaica,” he emphasised.

Mr. Yingchun who was speaking through an interpreter was excited at Jamaica’s/JAMPRO’s legacy plan for the Cricket World Cup 2007 and hopes to be able to capitalise on some of the opportunities which may arise – through joint ventures.

This was his response to a presentation being made by JAMPRO’s Executive Director, Markets, Kirk Kennedy, who gave a status report on Jamaica’s economic outlook, focussing on ports, tourism, bauxite, water & housing, and general information on improvements in the island’s physical infrastructure.

As part of the Vice Mayor’s delegation, he had representatives from the department of foreign affairs, office of the Municipal People’s Government and the Chamber of Commerce.

Jamaica’s delegation had the equivalent with the JHTA, JEA, JCC, Pan Caribbean Bank, JTB and Super Clubs represented.

The breakfast meeting was a joint effort between the state’s investment agency, JAMPRO and the marketing agency Jamaica Tourist Board.

Jamaica hosted the China Caribbean Economic Forum in February in Kingston and the Prime Minister took a delegation to China in June of this year.

Contact: Carole Beckford
978 7755 ext. 2267, 832 5622
[email protected]