MONTEGO BAY, St James — Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon is banking on drones and artificial intelligence to help maintain order in the western city, and has started putting the pieces in place.

In November, during a visit to China in which he talked trade and tourism with officials in Zhuhai and Yiwu — two major cities — Vernon also visited the Asian country’s largest air show for a look at cutting-edge technology. He has identified two drones he would like to purchase.

“Montego Bay is developing at a pace where the demand for order and city management outweighs its governance capacity; as if governance is approaching diminishing marginal returns. Drone technology could bridge that gap by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance surveillance and monitoring,” the mayor told the Jamaica Observer.

“We have been exploring options and models to help in this regard. What was identified in Zhuhai could enable this move. I won’t say much about it now, but Montego Bay has smart city ambitions. To be a smart city, we must first be a safe city. To achieve that, proper monitoring will be required. Therefore, we are now working on setting up that system, as well as financing options,” he added.

At the air show he chose two drones that can be modified for local use. The price tag: US$50.

“We have to provide the specifications to the developer so they can curate one for our programme,” Vernon said of the next step.

The China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, also known as the Airshow China or Zhuhai Airshow, is a trade expo that is held every two years. It has been running since 1996.

The mayor explained why he did not source locally made drones, for example: from HEART/NSTA Trust’s Granville location in St James.

“I saw those and they will be good options in the near future. However, we are looking at an advanced system with the integrated AI specification for our programme concept. HEART Trust will get there soon,” Vernon said.

During his 11-day trip to China, the mayor was part of a small delegation that also included St James Municipal Corporation Director of Planning Trevion Manning and China’s Sister City representative in Montego Bay Yangsen Li. Li is CEO of LCH Developments which is behind the US$450-million luxury residential project, The Pinnacle.

“During the visit, we were invited by [then] Zhuhai Mayor Huang Zhihao to the city’s air show which, among other exhibits, presented advanced technology use and cutting-edge drone innovations,” Vernon explained.

Montego Bay and Zhuhai became sister cities in 2021.

“In Yiwu we met with Vice Mayor Gao Jin and explored the Yiwu Market with a view to deepen trade relations and expand opportunities between Montego Bay and Yiwu,” said Vernon.

Officially known as Yiwu International Trade City, Yiwu Market is a massive wholesale complex that offers a variety of products. It is regarded as the world’s largest small commodities market. Montego Bay and Yiwu have been sister cities for more than 30 years.

“The trip was productive and provided insights into tourism expansion and cultural exchanges,” the mayor told the Observer.

“So far, the major benefits have been realised through trade, cultural exchanges, and the expansion of business in Montego Bay. The next step is to organise our products and services for a Chinese market that is fertile and ready for Jamaica’s unique commodities. There is much we can learn from China’s planning and city management strategies and how to galvanise small commodities markets, a major opportunity for MSMEs,” he added.

He also sees opportunities in tourism.

“The Chinese cities’ growing taste for leisure and exploration provides an opportunity for Montego Bay regarding tourism. There is a large Eastern and Latin American population that is currently at the stage of high mass consumption and are seeking adventure in the Caribbean, we could also benefit from this emerging market in the Global South, just as we have benefited from a robust market in the Global North,” the mayor said.