Jamaica, China sign bilateral agreements - Country set to receive J$280m in funding

JAMAICA IS set to receive grant funding totalling 21 million RMB or J$280 million under two bilateral agreements signed on Monday with the People's Republic of China.

The agreements followed Jamaica House talks between Prime Minister Bruce Golding and vice-premier of the People's Republic of China, Hui Liangyu, who is on a three-day working visit to the island.

Monday's agreements, coupled with the 30 million RMB China committed to Jamaica during talks in Trinidad and Tobago last week, brings to 51 million RMB or just over $688 million in grant funding the Government has received from the Chinese in less than a week.

Under the first agreement signed on Monday for economic and technical cooperation, China will provide 20 million RMB or J$270 million to fund projects that are to be mutually agreed on through consultation between the two countries.

The second agreement was an exchange of letters for a grant of one million RMB or J$13.5 million.

Both countries also signed a memorandum of understanding for agricultural cooperation, which is aimed at promoting development in the sector.

Agriculture Minister Robert Montague, who signed on behalf of the Jamaican Government, said the challenge is now for his ministry to identify projects that can benefit from the grant under the memorandum of understanding.

Urgent attention

He said one of the areas that needs urgent attention is the spice industry.

Other areas in the agriculture sector to be targeted include trade promotion, mechanisation, climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, and the use of alternative energy.

"There are a number of areas that are screaming out for attention, so a prioritisation and a selection will have to be done," Montague told The Gleaner.

Speaking with reporters after the signings, Golding said he specifically requested of the Chinese vice-premier that agriculture and the agri-processing industry be among the areas of focus in the discussions.

"We discussed a number of initiatives, which we are going to be following up and we expect that we will be able to make further announcements as those ideas are developed," he said.

The prime minister said China is an important development partner.

Liangyu, who is scheduled to leave the island today, said he and his 60-man delegation were in Jamaica to promote increased cooperation between the two countries.

He characterised his discussions with Golding as "sincere, friendly and productive" and said he also had cordial talks with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.

"We reviewed the past friendship and look ahead into future cooperation," Liangyu said through an interpreter.