COMPLANT to Make Jamaica Leading Sugar Producer in Region

MONTEGO BAY — Chairman of the COMPLANT International Group, Li Zhimin, says his firm plans an extensive overhaul of the three sugar estates it acquired from the Government last July, to create a modern large scale sugar enterprise which is the leading in the region.

“Rehabilitating the three sugar estates, as soon as possible, is a shared aspiration among the Jamaican Government, COMPLANT Sugar and all the employees, since it is in line with the best interest of all parties involved,” he stated.

He made the comments while meeting with the staff of the Frome Sugar Factory, Westmoreland, and local media personnel, at the factory, Monday April 18, following a tour of the facility, accompanied by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon Dr. Christopher Tufton, a top level delegation from COMPLANT and a number of ministry officials.

COMPLANT acquired Frome, Bernard Lodge and Monymusk sugar estates from the Jamaican Government through its sugar divestment programme, and will take over full ownership in August.

Mr. Li said that the COMPLANT Group came to Jamaica with confidence and good faith, and would like to take root in the island.

Explaining that his company, through a subsidiary, COMPLANT Sugar, is currently operating five sugar estates in Asia, Africa and Latin America, he noted that COMPLANT Sugar has accumulated extensive experience in investing and participating in sugar. He also outlined four suggestions he thinks are key to the successful recovery of the local estates.

One suggestion calls for Chinese and local employees to cooperate, in good faith, making joint efforts to explore localised administrative methods, to ensure the success of the project.

Another was for a change in the old mindset, and working together to create a bright future and a harmonious labour relationship. The third called for a good job in planting and maintaining the canes, for a good start to the project; and the fourth, was for preserving the company’s properties for a smooth transfer in the future.

“Although our way forward may be a bumpy ride, I believe that with common efforts made by both Chinese and Jamaican employees, through unity and collaboration, we will be able to rise above any difficulty and achieve our goal to rehabilitate these sugar estates and revitalize the Jamaican sugar industry,” he said through his interpreter.

Mr. Li noted also that, over the next three-four years, his company will upgrade the annual production levels of both Frome and Monymusk, to approximately 170,000 tonnes of sugar, and include the production of Ethanol.

Dr. Tufton, in his statement, outlined the terms of the agreement between the Government and COMPLANT noting that, on conclusion, it will represent the largest single investment of all times in the agricultural sector.

He pointed out that, under the terms of the agreements, the three factories and surrounding lands were sold to COMPLANT, and some 30,000 hectares of cane lands are to be leased for a period of 50 years, renewable for another 25 years. COMPLANT will, in turn, invest some US$127 million in refurbishing field and factory operations on the estates.

Dr. Tufton explained that, as part of the agreement, a feasibility study was launched to determine the viability of a 200,000 tonnes refinery, as well as an ethanol plant.

“Subject to feasibility, an additional US$200 million will be invested in these two enterprises”, he stated. He also assured that the investments exhibited a profound vote of confidence in the Jamaican economy.

By Bryan Miller