NOTES FOR
MOST HON. P.J. PATTERSON, ON, PC, QC, MP
PRIME MINISTER
FOR
JAMAICA/REPUBLIC OF CHINA PRESS CONFERENCE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY OS, 2005
Salutations and welcome.
Express pleasure at meeting the Vice President.
State the excellent relationship that Jamaica and China have shared over the
past three decades, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972.
Advise that over the years, China has been one of Jamaica's most consistent
development partners. Technical and economic co-operation assistance to
Jamaica have been significant, ranging from grants to numerous and varied
projects and scholarships.
Mention that in recognition of the excellent relationship that exists between the
two countries, both have agreed to define the relationship as a "Relationship of
Friendship and Partnership for Common Development."
Advise of Jamaica's decision to recognise China as a Full Market Economy. (Both
sides, consistent with their international obligations, are committed not to take
any discriminatory measures against imports of products from each other. This
move is aimed at creating a long-term stable and fair trading environment and
enhancing bilateral trade and economic co-operation).
Mention that the meeting this evening was extremely productive, with amicable
discussions on a range of co-operation issues including the designation of
Jamaica as an Approved Destination for Chinese tourists. In addition, a number
of other bilateral Agreements have been signed. (MHPM may wish to list the
Agreements).
Emphasise that these high level exchanges serve to deepen the already excellent
relationship between Jamaica and the People's Republic of China.
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ADDRESS BY
THE MOST HON. P. J. PATTERSON, ON, PC, QC, MP
PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA
CHINA/JAMAICA BUSINESS SEMINAR
Salutations
JIN JIANG TOWER, SHANGHAI, CHINA
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2005
My visit here, though brief, has given me the opportunity to witness first hand
the marvelous developments that are taking place in China. I cannot believe
that Shanghai is the same city that I visited seven years ago. I am impressed
with the growth and obvious signs of prosperity in all the areas that I have
visited.
I am grateful for the warm and gracious hospitality afforded me and my
delegation by the Government and people of China.
Jamaica and China are old friends. If the bonds of friendship are to be
strengthened, it must be nurtured and every once in a while, old friends
renew the vows of friendship. Jamaica/ China relations have entered a new
era and I look forward to an exciting relationship. The Chinese delegation that
visited Jamaica in February signaled a new beginning in the diplomatic and
economic relations between the two countries. My visit here serves to confirm
our intention and commitment to enter this new phase in the relationship.
I arrived in China immediately after concluding the G77 and China Summit in
Doha over which I presided and of which Jamaica is Chair. The outcomes of
that meeting have implications for developing nations and for every one in
this room. A key development in the Doha Agreement is to strengthen
South/South Corporation. The countries of the developing world share a
common cause, the elimination of poverty. We are all seeking to have an
equal and respected voice in the international arena. That will become a
reality only if we speak always in unison and if we help each other to achieve
prosperity for peoples of the developing world.
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After meeting with your Premier, Mr. Wen Jiabao, President Hu Jintao and
Chairman Wu Bangguo, I am confident that the future of our peoples is
secure.
They have expressed a strong agreement for deeper South/South relations
and they recognize that China has a key role to play in this regard.
During this visit, Jamaica and China have signed five bi-lateral agreements
covering areas such as education, transportation, mining and technical
cooperation. The Government has also expressed an interest in tourism
investment opportunities.
A cooperation agreement was signed between Jamaican bauxite interests and
China Minmetals Corporation. Minmetals will undertake a study that will
provide them with the necessary information to establish a bauxite mining
and alumina refinery in Jamaica. This refinery will produce 1.4 million tones
per annum of alumina capacity.
The railway was established in Jamaica before any other country in the
Western Hemisphere including the United States of America and Canada. We
signed an agreement that will result in the rehabilitation of the railway in
Jamaica. A team of Chinese railway experts will come to Jamaica before the
end of June to carry out site survey and exchange ideas with us on the
project.
It may appear that because Jamaica has a population of only 2. 7 million
people, which is miniscule, compared to China's, you would not achieve
economies of scale in your operations. However, when you invest in Jamaica,
you are investing in a single economic space under the Caricom Single Market
and Economy (CSME). Jamaica now has approved destination status for
Chinese travelers and we would be content with just 0.5% of Chinese
travelers.
Jamaica is the gateway to the Caribbean with a market penetration of over 14
million consumers. We are also the gateway to North and South American
markets because of our geographic location. In short, when you come to
Jamaica, you are in the major markets of the western world.
Before we leave here, Jamaica and China will sign an agreement to facilitate
business travel. Both countries will issue multiple entry visas for business
travel between the two countries.
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As business people, you may be concerned about the security of your
investments. While not experiencing your spectacular growth, Jamaica is
enjoying economic stability.
The Jamaican Stock Market is one of the fastest growing markets in the
world. Recently I rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange.
Our international bonds are trading at premium rates
The Net International Reserves are enough to fund over six months of the
country's imports.
Our financial sector is well regulated, and our legal system facilitates
business.
Over the last 10 years, we undertook a massive infrastructural development
that is remarkable enough to make a significant contribution to other areas of
development in the country.
Our ports are the best in the region and rated among the best in the world.
Jamaica is the ICT centre for the Caribbean with a wireless penetration of
over 80%.
The country intends to be the Business Process Outsourcing centre in the
Western Hemisphere.
We want you to help us to achieve this objective.
When I look. at the developments in Shanghai, they remind me of the
investments that are taking place in our second city Montego Bay. We want
that city to be an international business centre. This city now has first world
infrastructure in place, including a hub at the airport which provides easy
connections to destinations in the Caribbean, Europe and North America. It is
ideal for connections to Central and South America.
We are expanding the port in Montego Bay to facilitate the expansion of the
cruise line industry.
I think that Montego Bay is ripe for investments. We could benefit from what
Mr. Wu Bangguo describes as your scientific approach to economic
development. I have seen evidence of this in Shanghai and would like to
explore with you how we could benchmark this approach in the development
of our country, including specifically, Montego Bay.
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There are many business opportunities that you can begin to explore with
JAMPRO. I am sure that they will make the information available to you. After
seeing what your city has to offer, I think that the time has come for us to
document the history of the Chinese in Jamaica from the time the first settlers
came over 150 years ago. The construction of China Town in one of our
oldest commercial districts in downtown Kingston, which is dominated by the
Chinese is one of the investment opportunities that should be of interest to
you. As business people you have a great opportunity to help us shape the
destiny of our peoples.
Despite our disparity in size we have shown that big and small can work
together to eliminate poverty and achieve prosperity for the developing world.
As I said to your counterparts in Beijing on Monday, Jamaica is open for
business and you have an open invitation to come and invest
We are entering a partnership that will benefit both China and Jamaica. Both
countries have a sound foundation of diplomatic and economic relations that
have served us well in trade, business and investments.
The time has come for China and Jamaica, two of the most influential
countries in the developing world, to forge a common partnership for
prosperity.
You have the world number one hurdler. We have the fastest man alive.
Together, we can overcome any hurdle in record time. The clock is ticking.
Let us burst the tape ahead.
Thank you.
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