KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Association of Chinese Enterprises in Jamaica (ACE Ja) is reiterating the point made by the Chinese Embassy that there is a clear distinction between the Chinese Government and the management of Chinese state-owned enterprises.

The association, which was established earlier this year and registered as a limited liability company on June 16, is the umbrella organisation of “non-traditional” Chinese enterprises in Jamaica.

It said in a release today that state-owned enterprises such as those represented by the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Jamaica operate independently under business rules and we assume sole responsibility for our profits and losses.

ACE Ja also welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the country’s development, which it said has been facilitated by the accommodating business environment supported by successive political administrations. This environment, the association noted, has contributed to the attraction of increased foreign direct from several countries including China.

Amid criticism by Opposition Spokesman on National Security, Peter Bunting, that Chinese firms are engaging in unfair competition, saying that most are either 100 per cent or majority-controlled by the Chinese Government, giving them virtually unlimited resources, the association has commented that Chinese companies are by nature very competitive.

It said that the primary aim of firms is the satisfaction of customers by delivering timely, cost-effective and high-quality work. The positive relationship that exists between China and Jamaica particularly during the past ten years, Ace Ja said, have in large measure facilitated historic investments in telecommunications, infrastructure, agriculture, power generation and mining.

The release said incentives to China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) have facilitated some of the most significant developments across Jamaica, which would not otherwise be affordable at this time. It pointed to the Palisadoes Shoreline Protection and Rehabilitation Works, the North South Highway, major bridges and road network rehabilitation and expansion.

Ace Ja said it believes that an objective cost-benefit analysis of the incentives which accrue to the foreign investors including Chinese enterprises be undertaken by the Planning Institute of Jamaica or any other reputable agency in order to address the lingering negative perception that Chinese enterprises in Jamaica are receiving extraordinary preferential treatment and that the objective of China’s bilateral relationship is to “take over” the country.