Major Infrastructure Projects Can Change Jamaica’s Economic Outlook

Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, says  the major infrastructure project planned and already underway in Jamaica has the ability to significantly change the country’s economic outlook. The Minister was speaking in London at the second of a series of meetings in the United Kingdom (UK) to update the Jamaican Diaspora of the Government’s major infrastructure projects. The meetings are organised by Jamaica National Building Society as part of its Outlook for the Future series. The projects being undertaken include development of the island’s highway network to link the north and south coast; expansion and privatization of the Kingston Container Terminal; privatization of the Norman Manley International Airport; and  development of the Logistics Hub to take advantage of the expansion of the Panama Canal. Dr. Davies informed that the long-awaited Mount Rosser bypass will be open on August 5, while the Caymanas to Linstead leg of the highway will be completed by 2016.“Then, we will do a leg from Moneague to Ocho Rios, coming out just west of Dunn’s River,” Dr. Davies informed.  “That will cost about US$270 million.” He urged members of the Diaspora to look at the business opportunities that might arise from the infrastructure projects. “What I want to exercise your minds about is the possibility of piggy-backing on these investments,” he said, noting that there are potential spinoffs.

Infrastructure Projects

“Each of you, either working as individuals or working together, can take advantages of the opportunities that are there. I want you see yourselves as, not just being members of the Diaspora, but also as potential investors,” he stated. There were also presentations from Managing Director of the National Road Operating and Construction Company (NROCC), Ivan Anderson, and Head of the Port Authority of Jamaica, Professor Gordon Shirley. Mr. Anderson informed that since 2010, some 300 road projects have been completed island-wide at an expenditure of approximately US$400 million. Professor Shirley, for his part, said Jamaica is ideally located between North and South America to benefit from the increased traffic through the Caribbean, due to the expansion of the Panama Canal. He also outlined plans to upgrade the port facilities to accommodate cruise ships and also of the opportunities in developing Jamaica as a hub for telecommunications.