Minister Chang to Tour Ocho Rios Waterfront as part of Government’s Focus on Upgrading Ports Islandwide

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Dr. Horace Chang is this Friday (May 12), scheduled to tour the waterfront areas of the resort town of Ocho Rios in St. Ann.

Dr. Chang says improvement to the Ocho Rios waterfront will provide genuine opportunities and hope for the people of Ocho Rios.

“Ocho Rios is one of our primary tourism destinations. This government is engaged in a programme that is already committed nearly JA$3 Billion to upgrading the waterfront in Ocho Rios through the Port Authority”, says Minister Chang.

The tour of the Ocho Rios waterfront is part of efforts to improve the ports islandwide.

Dr. Chang notes that the agencies under his portfolio will work to ensure a more business friendly environment in Ocho Rios.

According to Dr. Chang, the upgrade of the Ocho Rios waterfront, “will provide opportunities for the people in the industry, the workers who work in the hotels, the craft vendors and the many services that spin off from tourism in transport and in general activities in the economy.

The pharmacies, the supermarkets, you get money circulating and the workers and the small business people have a genuine opportunity and hope of seeing some prosperity in their lives”.

The Port Authority and other stakeholders have undertaken several initiatives at the three major cruise ports; Montego Bay, Falmouth and Ocho Rios. These initiatives will improve the attractiveness and competitiveness of the ports and integrate the Ports with the communities and townships that they are a part of.

Minister Chang says that the government is working to build an economy that will generate real prosperity and restore hope to the people of Jamaica.