China and Jamaica exploring greater collaboration in bilateral trade

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Hon. Audley Shaw (centre), addresses a virtual meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of China, H.E. Tian Qi, at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on Friday, October 30, 2020. Others (from left) are Minister of State in the Ministry, Hon. Dr. Norman Dunn; Chief Technical Director, MIIC, Michelle Parkins; International Trade Specialist of the Trade Unit, MIIC, Daenia Ashpole; and International Trade Specialist of the Trade Unit, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dennis Crawford. The meeting was held to discuss trade relations between China and Jamaica.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, the Hon. Audley Shaw, has signalled his commitment to explore the possibilities of pursuing greater cooperation with the Government of the People’s Republic of China in several areas of trade and, in particular, assistance with the export of pork to China.

The Minister exchanged ideas on the matter with, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica, His Excellency Tian Qi, during a virtual meeting at his Ministry’s New Kingston Offices on Friday, October 30, 2020.
Mr. Shaw informed that Jamaica and China have enjoyed long-standing trade relations at the bilateral level, and that China is Jamaica’s 4th largest trading partner behind the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Canada, also China’s largest trading partner in the English-speaking Caribbean.
He noted that Jamaica is looking to expand on what we have started to export to China, that is, rum, coffee and lobster, and that we must now look at new initiatives such as Tuna and pork.
“In addition to lobster, there is another area through joint-venture partnership which we are looking to collaborate. This is in deep sea fishing. The Government of Jamaica sees the significant contribution that the development of the tuna industry can make to the diversification of the Jamaican economy and exports. Given China`s advancement in this area, and its propensity for sustainable fisheries, we want to advance this area for bilateral cooperation. We want to make Jamaica the place of choice for tuna,” Minister Shaw said.
The Minister further informed that Jamaica also has the ability to significantly expand the capacity of our pork industry to supply the China market.
For his part, State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Dr. Norman Dunn, reiterated the need for greater cooperation between China and Jamaica.
“I believe that you really love and have Jamaica’s interest at heart. I believe that you want for Jamaica to succeed as far as our trade and other relationships with China. We believe that the opportunity for us is right now for us to increase our trade exponentially. We are hoping that the discussions today will bring forth some of the products that we can offer to China.
He noted that opportunity also exists for bilateral relationships and partnerships with manufacturers in China in our Free Zones in Jamaica and, that we can achieve a far greater trade balance rather than the significant trade imbalance that now exist.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Qi, said that he is looking forward to continuing the great relationship that Jamaica and China enjoy and, to this end, the Ministry is to have further discussions with the embassy.
“Jamaica is a small country in size, but is very great in culture. Jamaica has great potential for that service industry product to export to China. There is also the potential for Jamaica’s agricultural and value-added products for export to China,” the Ambassador added.
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