KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) will begin the construction of its regional headquarters in New Kingston later this year, signalling its confidence in Jamaica and its intent to remain in the region and to continue to invest in the country.

Vice President of CCCC, Ziyu Sun, made the disclosure in an interview with JIS News, shortly after the official opening of its landmark project in Jamaica, the North- South leg of Highway 2000, on Wednesday.

He pointed out that the company decided to concentrate on Jamaica for three reasons. The first was the fact that Jamaica was the first Caribbean country to set up diplomatic relations with China in the early 1970s, yielding what is now a long history between the two countries. The second consideration was to fulfil China’s interest in building an economic partnership with the Jamaican people; and thirdly, Jamaica is an island and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) specialises in activities, such as marine engineering, dredging and bridge building.

Sun said that CCCC is one of the 500 largest enterprises in the world. “We are currently ranked at 165 and expecting to move ahead another 20 positions by the end of the year,” he informed, adding that the company’s decision to establish headquarters in Jamaica is an indication of its confidence in the Government and people of Jamaica.

According to Sun, the building of the North-South leg of Highway 2000 was the first overseas investment for CCCC and its subsidiary CHEC, using the Build – Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.  He said he would classify the project as a milestone and that it would be used as a prototype for the Caribbean.

He added that having made the decision to make the 50-year investment in Jamaica, his company is of the view that it made the right decision.