Jamaican/Canadian billionaire Michael Lee Chin is preparing to invest in tourism development in Port Antonio, though the scope or precise nature of the investment is yet to be disclosed.

On Wednesday, Lee Chin toured the sleepy tourist resort with a top American architect, Daniel Libeskind - who won the contract to design the permanent memorial for the victims of the US World Trade Centre in New York. Some 3,000 people died when the Twin Tower collapsed after it was struck by planes commandeered by Middle Eastern terrorists on September 11, 2001.

Prime Minister PJ Patterson and other state officials were on the tour with Lee Chin.

The development being contemplated will take place in areas close to Titchfield Hill, and the Trident Hotel which Lee Chin bought last year.

Lee Chin said that the architect had been mandated to create a special design for the area.

"I said to Daniel, look at what you see here and bring a design back soon," Lee Chin told guests at yesterday's launch of Hands Across Jamaica, a charity organisation. The launch took place at Kings House in Kingston.

Lee Chin who was born in Portland emigrated to Canada in the 1960s at age 19 to study engineering at McMaster University. Now, with estimated net asset of US$2.3 billion, he is the richest Jamaican ever lived, and is among Canada's wealthiest.

Two years ago he made his first major investment in his homeland when he paid the Jamaican government $6 billion for its 76 per cent interest in National Commercial Bank.

This entrepreneur who has sentimental attachment to Portland, has for several months been scouting the parish for investment possibilities, with the Trident being his first catch.

Yesterday, he lamented the poor state of development of the parish, saying he was embarrassed by it, and suggesting that he was ablaut to do something about it.

"Port Antonio has been neglected for many years and like National Commercial Bank (NCB) I want to use it as a model for development," said the NCB chairman. "My ambition is to restore Port Antonio to its past glory."

The architect is to work closely with the government and to create a development plan which has the potential to attract other investors to the town, which has over the years had a reputation for catering to upscale tourists.

The government officials also on the tour included member of parliament for East Portland Dr Donald Rhodd, director of tourism, Paul Pennicook Vin Lawrence chairman of the Urban Development Corporation; and Noel Hylton, executive chairman of the Port Authority of Jamaica.

As part of government's ongoing effort to develop the town, the UDC has taken over control of Reich Falls and has started refurbishing it. The falls has therefore been closed to the public.

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