KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – There is a call for the business sector to seize investment opportunities that are on the horizon, due to the building of the US$600 million North-South link of Highway 2000.

Minister of Transport, Works and Housing  Dr Omar Davies, says while the project is a major transformation to the country’s infrastructure, it represents a major boost to both the North Coast, and Kingston, as well as areas between them.

“It opens up a range of possibilities for the development of housing. One could easily live in Ocho Rios, or along the way, and work in Kingston,” the minister said at a media briefing, while on a tour of the project on December 10.

The minister added that Kingston, as a cultural tourism destination, will be “fully exploited,” when the road is fully opened by March 2016. “I can see entrepreneurs moving cruise ship tourists from Ocho Rios to Kingston for a day tour,” he said.

The highway covers some 67.2 kilometres, beginning at Caymanas Estate in St Catherine and ending at Mammee Bay, in St Ann, where it will join the existing North Coast Highway.

Davies also said the highway will widen the range of attractions for visitors to the island, as they will be able to traverse more of the areas of the country.