The government of Jamaica has announced it will sign a “significant agreement” next week with China Communications Construction Company, parent of China Harbour Engineering Company, in addition to the ongoing US$400 million Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme.

According to an article in the 12 July 2012 issue of The Gleaner, Transport, Works and Housing Minister Dr Omar Davies said that the chairman of CCCC will be in Jamaica next week to sign the agreement, though the exact details of the contract have yet to be revealed.

In 2010, CHEC began work on the $400 million JDIP, which includes construction of various roads and bridges. China Harbour is also reportedly interested in taking over the Mount Rosser leg of Highway 2000 and completing the north-south link to the highway.

The Gleaner reported that Mr. Davies made the announcement at the Jamaica-China Friendship Forum in New Kingston, where he said, “When the (CCCC) chairman is here, there will be some agreement signed which will have significant importance to the future of Jamaica’s economy.”

The minister added that the government hopes to continue improving Jamaica’s infrastructure, and both the Mount Rosser and north-south links are part of that plan, likely to be covered by the latest agreement.

Mr. Davies has previously said that if China Harbour built the north-south link, the company would take on the financial obligations of that construction, so it should be considered an investment in Jamaica by the Chinese firm.

This show of confidence in China Harbour comes as the Cayman Islands government works toward finalising an agreement with CHEC to develop George Town cruise-berthing facilities and other related projects.

CHEC has been involved in numerous projects throughout the Caribbean, and Premier McKeeva Bush has said the Beijing-based company is the right one to complete the proposed works in Cayman, which, in addition to the port in George Town, would include an upgrade of the Spotts Jetty, a pier at the Turtle Farm and possibly a cruise-ship facility in Cayman Brac.  China Harbour would be financing all of these projects.