Harbour View To Morant Bay Highway Will Bring Increased Investment To The East

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, says Government’s investment in the construction of a highway from Harbour View to Morant Bay, is a major development, which will open up the eastern end of the island for increased investment.

Cabinet has approved the award of a US$385 million contract to China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) for the works under the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project.

It is part of the segment from Harbour View to Port Antonio covering approximately 65 kilometres of roadway.

Speaking at a recent JIS News Think Tank, Dr. McNeill said there is “great anticipation” among tourism interests, who are looking for new areas of the country in which to invest.

“(It) goes beyond adding…hotels; it involves creating opportunities in the different areas such as agriculture, transportation, and entertainment,” he said.

Dr. McNeill said that through investments in the construction and upgrading of roads and highways, and installation of water supply systems, the Government is laying the groundwork to attract new businesses and industries to parishes such as St. Thomas.

“Stakeholders want somewhere to invest but the basic ground work has to be done, so the Government is laying the foundation for investors to feel secure and confident when they invest,” he pointed out.

He said the expansion of the Norman Manley International Airport is also in preparation for the developments that are to come in the eastern region of the country.

The Minister said there is a drive to get communities and individuals involved in tourism “so that the reach will be far and wide because they are the ones who will add to the success.”

He is appealing to Jamaicans to get involved so that they too can become stakeholders in the development of the sector.