PRESIDENT of the China National Complete Plant Import Export Corporation (Complant), Li Zhimin, has recently pledged his company’s continued support of the economic collaboration between Jamaica and China.

“Complant Group, as a large-scale, state-owned enterprise, will continue to conduct sincere and down-to-earth cooperation with Jamaican government and local enterprises in the fields of sugar manufacturing, modern agriculture, the development of real-estate and public facilities so as to make continuous contributions to the economic cooperation between China and Jamaica,” said the Complant boss.

Speaking at the recent handing over of the Montego Bay Convention Centre to the Government of Jamaica, Zhimin stated that the construction of the facility is a token of the bond that exists between the two Chinese and Jamaican nations.

“This convention centre is a symbol of the friendship between the people of our two countries. Its completion will enhance Jamaica’s capability to hold large-scale international conventions and further promote the development of local tourism industry, making Jamaica an important hub in the Caribbean region for political, economic and cultural exchanges,” Zhimin argued.

Just over a week ago the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St James, was officially handed over to the Government and people of Jamaica.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding received the keys from the president of Complant , the firm contracted to construct the building, at a ceremony held at the facility.

The convention centre, which sits on approximately 14.1 hectares of land adjacent to the Rose Hall Great House, was constructed through a loan agreement signed in 2007 between the China Export Import Bank and the Government. Ground was broken to start construction in February 2009, while the doors to the facility were officially opened in January 2011.

While some landscaping is still being done, the facility has already hosted a major conference, namely the Caribbean Marketplace, one week after its official opening in January.

During the handing-over ceremony, Golding praised the quality of work done and the time frame in which the project was carried out.

The prime minister also stated that the convention centre represents one example of the growing, maturing, strengthening relationship between China and Jamaica.

“It is no secret, it is evident for all to see, that China is playing an increasingly significant role in Jamaica’s development efforts,” he stated.

The prime minister made mention of the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP), among other projects, in which China is involved in Jamaica.