(Jamaica Gleaner) China, Singapore and the Netherlands have pledged technical support to assist Jamaica fast track its plan to establish itself as the logistics hub of the Americas, according to Minister of Industry, investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton.
Describing the mission as successful, Hylton, addressing a press conference in Kingston this morning, said the meetings reaffirmed and validated the soundness of the intention to make Jamaica the logistics hub of the Americas.
He said it was encouraging that the major players in the world of global supply management and logistics saw Jamaica’s proposed logistics hub as a global asset.
The Minister recently led a delegation to China and Singapore during which discussions were held with counterpart ministers on deepening commercial and industrial relations between Jamaica and the two countries.
The Jamaican delegation also met with potential investors and used the opportunity to promote investment in the proposed logistics hub and other sectors in Jamaica.
The logistics hub is the centre-piece of the government’s growth strategy, which is intended to impact positively on Jamaica’s economy and create well needed jobs.
The trip to China and Singapore was preceded by fact-finding visits to Panama and the Netherlands, where Hylton toured the Colon Freezone and discussed possible cooperation with Dutch maritime and aviation interests.
Hylton said the trip allowed the delegation to observe first hand and gain greater perspective on the scale and scope of the physical infrastructure required to support the development of a logistics sector and hub.
Jamaica’s is working towards a plan to become the fourth node in the global logistics network, joining Singapore, Dubai and Rotterdam.
Both Jamaica and China expect to benefit from opportunities which will arise from the expansion of the Panama Canal scheduled for completion in 2015.
Hylton was accompanied on the mission to China and Singapore by chairman of the newly-formed logistics taskforce committee, Dr. Eric Deans; Jampro President Sancia Bennett Templer; chairman of the Factories Corporation of Jamaica, Clive Fagan and his senior advisor Reginald Nugent.
