Jamaica and China sign agreements for US$7.985 million in grants and MOU in Agricultural co-operation

The Governments of Jamaica and the People’s Republic of China yesterday (Sept 19) signed two grant agreements for RMB 21 million (US$3.288 million) and a Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation.

Another agreement for RMB 30 million (approximately US$5.617 million) was signed at the 3rd China/Caribbean Trade and Economic Forum in Trinidad last week. That amount brings the total agreements signed between the two countries in just over a week to RMB 51 million (US7.985 million)  

Speaking at yesterday’s signing ceremony at Jamaica House Prime Minister  Golding expressed  appreciation to Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Hui Liangyu for  his government’s enormous assistance in  many areas  which he said are critical to national development.  Mr Golding recalled that China has to date provided   valuable assistance in a number of areas including infrastructure, housing development, water supplies, education and agriculture and only recently provided assistance to the JDF in the vital area of equipment.

In the   discussions yesterday with the Chinese Vice Premier, Mr Golding said both countries explored the possibility of expanding existing areas of technical cooperation and he specially requested a focus on agriculture

and agro processing. It is expected that further announcements will be made where these areas of co-operation can become part of the agreements between the two countries, Mr Golding said.

In his address, Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Hui Liangyu, said China is committed to promoting cooperation in various areas and that while proposals have come out of the discussions, new steps and policy measures will be looked at in the years to come. He expressed his sincere appreciation for the enormous efforts that the government has made in promoting bilateral friendship under the leadership of Prime Minister Golding. ‘The Chinese people also care about your economic and social development and China is determined to give you the necessary help in the future,’ VP Hui Liangyu added.

Yesterday’s ceremony saw the Vice Minister of Commerce, of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Jiang Yaoping, and the Minister of Agriculture, Robert Montague, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Agricultural Cooperation. The MOU identifies priority areas including agricultural mechanization, agricultural trade promotion, climate change adaptation, disaster risk management, alternative energy in agriculture and information and communications technology in agriculture.

Vice Minister Jiang and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign affairs and

Foreign Trade, Marlene Malahoo Forte, signed the:

Agreement on Economic and Technical Corporationin the amount of twenty million. These funds will be used on projects that will be subject to specific supplementary agreements between the two governments.

Exchange of Letters for a Grant of RMB 1million for materials from China was also signed by Minister Malahoo Forte and the Chinese Vice Minister. The type of materials will be provided at Jamaica’s request and subject to agreement between the two governments.

The signing of the grants are a part of the four-day official visit of Mr Hui and a delegation of some 60 officials from the PRC.

Contact:    Communications Unit-OPM

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