News

Jamaica, China sign grant agreements, MOU for agricultural support

Thursday, September 22, 2011

THE governments of Jamaica and the People's Republic of China have signed two grant agreements for RMB 21 million (US$3.288 million) and a Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation.

Another agreement for RMB 30 million (approximately US$5.617 million) was signed at the 3rd China/Caribbean Trade and Economic Forum in Trinidad last week. That amount brings the total agreements signed between the two countries in just over a week to RMB 51million (US$7.985 million)

Speaking at Monday's signing ceremony at Jamaica House, Prime Minister Golding expressed appreciation to Vice-Premier of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Hui Liangyu for his government's enormous assistance in many areas which he said are critical to national development.

Golding recalled that China has to date provided valuable assistance in a number of areas including infrastructure, housing development, water supplies, education and agriculture and only recently provided assistance to the JDF in the vital area of equipment.

In the discussions Monday with the Chinese Vice-Premier, Golding said both countries explored the possibility of expanding existing areas of technical cooperation and he specially requested a focus on agriculture and agro-processing. It is expected that further announcements will be made where these areas of cooperation can become part of the agreements between the two countries, Golding said.

In his address, Vice-Premier Hui said China was committed to promoting cooperation in various areas and that while proposals have come out of the discussions, new steps and policy measures will be looked at in the years to come. He expressed his sincere appreciation for the enormous efforts that the Government has made in promoting bilateral friendship under the leadership of Prime Minister Golding.

"The Chinese people also care about your economic and social development and China is determined to give you the necessary help in the future,"' Hui added.

Monday's signing involved Hui and Jamaica's Minister of Agriculture Robert Montague. The MOU identifies priority areas, including agricultural mechanisation, agricultural trade promotion, climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, alternative energy in agriculture and information and communications technology in agriculture.

Meantime, Vice-Minister Jiang and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Marlene Malahoo-Forte, signed an agreement on Economic and Technical Corporation for RMB 20 million in addition to Exchange of Letters for a Grant of RMB one million for materials from China. The type of materials will be provided at Jamaica's request and subject to agreement between the two governments.

The signing of the grants were part of the four-day official visit of Hui and a delegation of some 60 officials from the PRC.

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COMMENTS (16)

Chuck Emanuel
9/22/2011

0o k : Excellent points !

Chuck Emanuel
9/22/2011

@0o k : The United States is Jamaica's most important trading partner: in 2010 U.S. exports to Jamaica were $1.635 billion and Jamaican exports to the U.S. were $335 million. Jamaica is a popular destination for American tourists; nearly 2 million Americans visited in 2010. In addition, some 10,000 American citizens, including many dual-nationals born on the island, permanently reside in Jamaica.
The Government of Jamaica also seeks to attract U.S. investment and supports efforts to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). More than 80 U.S. firms have operations in Jamaica, and total U.S. investment is estimated at more than $3 billion. The U.S. Embassy's Political/Economic section assists American businesses seeking trade opportunities in Jamaica. The country is a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partner Act (CBTPA). The American Chamber of Commerce, which also is available to assist U.S. business in Jamaica, has offices in Kingston.

0o k
9/22/2011

@Chuck Emanuel
What are we exporting to the USA again?
Last time I checked we had no Garment Industry. Factories packed up & left to China after the Chinese visited our factories.
Our Minority peoples have done a far better job of holding it down than most of us. Until one Jamaica can out-think and out-work five Chinese Citizens, we are in deep stuff. We might want to pick China's brain on how to thrive in world that is increasingly about the exploitation of technology not just raw labour.

Chuck Emanuel
9/22/2011

@0o k : The U.S. is Jamaica's number one export destination, even when alumina and bauxite are excluded, and represents the most important market for Jamaica. Jamaica's exports to the US represent approximately 50 percent of total exports. Apparel and other manufactured items which meet rules of origin criteria are exported duty free under the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, which was extended until 2020 this year.
The point is, we need leaders with integrity to engage the U.S.

0o k
9/22/2011

@ Chuck Emanuel
Obviously any agreement with China will mean jobs, jobs, jobs for Chinese in China
I am not defending these specific agreements (as it seems our focus is to correct Comrade errors in roads, agriculture and hotels), what I was challenging is the notion that a mere deal with China, means we sign on to agreements as a willing partner to facilitate China Dumping.

0o k
9/22/2011

@ Chuck Emanuel
For decades Jamaicans have been systematically fighting against Minority Jamaicans.
It is my observation based on the rhetoric in the media and personal observation of the destruction of 100% of Chinese, Jamaican-Whites business establishments in my Community.
I am saying, it is time we accept and promote, our shared heritage.

0o k
9/22/2011

@ Chuck Emanuel
So the mere act of signing an agreement with the Chinese Government presupposes Dumping by China in Jamaica or via Jamaica? It this your well thought out argument?

Chuck Emanuel
9/22/2011

@0o k said : "In any case Jamaicans have Chinese and Indian Heritage we should seek better relations with China, India and Africa and stop importing USA Culture "
What are you talking about ?. The relationship with China was never bad. In addition, most Jamaicans of all culture who migrated are living in the U.S; Canada and England. So why are we trying to create jobs in China for the Chinese, as opposed to jobs, jobs, jobs in Jamaica ?

0o k
9/22/2011

LOL @ clowns getting worked up over Communism/Socialism vs what iSMs we practice in Jamaica. Glad to see Comrades staying on message. This is the kind of pettiness, illiteracy & vindictiveness why I am not a Comrade, even as I am a PNP Supporter.
Since Independence Jamaica has maintained partnerships with a number of countries, practicing differing political models. There are very few closed economies in the world. Jamaica is certainly not one of them, nor is Cuba, nor is China, nor is Venezuela

Chuck Emanuel
9/22/2011

@0o k : Firstly, whether it is a "Comrade", or crumbinal Governments the message is the same. Dumping occurs when manufacturers export a product to another country at a price either below the price charged in its home market, or in quantities that cannot be explained through normal market competition.
This can force established domestic producers out of a market and lead to monopolistic positions by the exporting nation.

Tom Stroke
9/22/2011

@fall mouth, I see you making this statement for days now, but I don't get your point. Are you saying that because the crash program of the 1970s hurt Ja., and the JLP analyzed that JEEP will do the same, the JLP should not have bilateral friendship with China, Cuba and Venezuela because they are communist? How do you explain the bilateral relationship with USA and China? or USA and Russia? enlighten mi darkness nuh.

Tony Smith
9/22/2011

@Chuck Emanuel, what are you talking about? Do you see what is going on with the US economy in comparison to China? You are clearly an opposition for everything that the Government is doing, I am surprise you did not find a way to insert the Dudus saga.

0o k
9/22/2011

Dumping cheap goods in Jamaica ..This has to be a joke?
Didn't the Comrade Governments open up Jamaica to Han Chinese Merchants, Han Chinese Labourers, Russian and South American Go-Go Dancers?
In an case Jamaicans have Chinese and Indian Heritage we should seek better relations with China, India and Africa and stop importing USA Culture

fall mouth
9/22/2011

Seems that everytime I see some form of economic co-operation between this government and another country it is either China, Cuba or Venezuela. But isn't China a communist country and the last time I heard Cuba and Venezuela remain Socialist.
Isn't Scialism what Dr. Tufton warning us against? Of course we shouldn't take him too seriously. It is he who went on a JLP platform in Charles Square and urged voters to put their X beside the head.
I wonder who Mr. Vaz was calling hypocrites.

Chuck Emanuel
9/22/2011

Mr Golding must be told that the United States also see Jamaica as a strategic location that would enhance investments from the U.S seeking to address the growing demands in this particular part of the world. We must be careful in helping China to open new Markets for their Dumping of inferior Products in our country.
In 2005, Grenada cut off diplomatic ties to Taiwan, then China helped Grenada build the $55 million cricket stadium in return. Tread carefully and look out for bribery !

Ainsworth Cole
9/22/2011

PICK AXE AND HOE ALONE NAA DO IT AGAIN. I hope the govt knows the backward policies that governed agriculture before won't work anymore. Idle lands accross the country are mainly there because of bad policies and practices. Farmers in Ja are hard working, it was backward policies that led to backward farming practicies. Now we are force to change I wonder if the govt approach to the modernisation of agriculture via mechanization, inovative technolgy, new machinery, equipment and processes will?

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