NEW CONVENTION CENTRE TO ROSE HALL, MONTEGO BAY - JAMAICA TOURIST ISSUE 12
In a historic demonstration of unity between the western and eastern hemispheres, honorary guest His Excellency Xi Jinping, Vice President of The People’s Republic of China, joined Jamaica’s Prime Minister The Honourable Bruce Golding for the official February 14th, Groundbreaking Ceremony of the new Montego Bay Convention Centre. The result of collaborative efforts between the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Jamaica, the new Convention Centre to be constructed at Rose Hall, St James is a long awaited addition to Jamaica's tourism product and infrastructure.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Prime Minister Golding described the Montego Bay Convention Centre a significant development and “a dream come true” for Jamaica and its tourism stakeholders. A strategic addition, the new 50.000 sqft facility is expected to strengthen the island’s tourism product by providing additional space for meetings and conventions.
A demonstration of China’s eagerness to help Jamaica develop, the new facility will provide much needed convention space including meeting rooms, banquet halls and exhibition space for the western end of the island. Said the Prime Minister, “This project, which was initiated during former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson’s visit to China in 2005, is financed by way of a $350M loan from the China Export & Import Bank.”
Stated Golding, “Today we break ground for a facility that has been long needed and long hoped for. I want to thank the Government of China for making the project possible. Jamaica depends heavily on tourism and it is a major pillar of our economy.”
Under a contract between the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and COMPLANT (China National Complete Plant Import and Export Corporation) the new convention centre is being constructed in close proximity to five major hotels, on approximately 9.3 hectares of land between the Half Moon Golf Course and Rose Hall Great House. Elaborated the Prime Minister, “2,500 rooms have recently been added in the Montego Bay area, making the total capacity 15,000 rooms. 5,000 of these rooms are located in Rose Hall.”
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett as well as Mayor of Montego Bay, Charles Sinclair, endorsed the project as a welcomed addition. Said Bartlett, “Rose Hall is not only a beautiful slice of Jamaica filled with history but an opportunity for a bright future. The Convention Centre is part of the critical infrastructure needed to position Jamaica as an event tourism destination. We welcome all the new business opportunities it will bring; it simply cannot open too soon!”
Speaking at the ceremony, Xi Jingping, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China highlighted the importance of the past 36 years of diplomatic relationships and productive cooperation. Said the Chinese VP, “China highly values its friendly relations with Jamaica. We are ready to work with the Caribbean and the Latin American countries to promote social and economic growth and build a harmonious world.”
Vice President Xi added a historic touch to the ceremony during his 3-day stay, China’s first ever official visit to the island which is China’s biggest trading partner in English-speaking Caribbean countries. Said Xi, who described Jamaica as a world-renowned tourist destination with beautiful scenery, visited by travelers from all corners of the world, “I am convinced that the Convention Centre will become a milestone of cooperation between our two countries, and hope that this partnership between our countries will lead to further growth.”
Following the official groundbreaking ceremony, the two leaders shoveled the first symbolic pieces of top soil signifying the beginning of the construction phase expected to be completed in 20 months.
The only Caribbean stop on the Chinese VP’s official tour of the region, Xi met with Governor General Kenneth Hall, Prime Minister Golding and parliament leaders of Jamaica. Pledging to boost the nations’ friendly partnership for common development, Xi said that the Chinese government regards Jamaica as China’s important cooperation partner in the Caribbean region. During his visit, Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Golding signed seven bilateral loan and aid agreements totaling US$138M (J$12B) to be spent in the areas including trade, agriculture, infrastructural development, education and culture.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Prime Minister Golding described the Montego Bay Convention Centre a significant development and “a dream come true” for Jamaica and its tourism stakeholders. A strategic addition, the new 50.000 sqft facility is expected to strengthen the island’s tourism product by providing additional space for meetings and conventions.
A demonstration of China’s eagerness to help Jamaica develop, the new facility will provide much needed convention space including meeting rooms, banquet halls and exhibition space for the western end of the island. Said the Prime Minister, “This project, which was initiated during former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson’s visit to China in 2005, is financed by way of a $350M loan from the China Export & Import Bank.”
Stated Golding, “Today we break ground for a facility that has been long needed and long hoped for. I want to thank the Government of China for making the project possible. Jamaica depends heavily on tourism and it is a major pillar of our economy.”
Under a contract between the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and COMPLANT (China National Complete Plant Import and Export Corporation) the new convention centre is being constructed in close proximity to five major hotels, on approximately 9.3 hectares of land between the Half Moon Golf Course and Rose Hall Great House. Elaborated the Prime Minister, “2,500 rooms have recently been added in the Montego Bay area, making the total capacity 15,000 rooms. 5,000 of these rooms are located in Rose Hall.”
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett as well as Mayor of Montego Bay, Charles Sinclair, endorsed the project as a welcomed addition. Said Bartlett, “Rose Hall is not only a beautiful slice of Jamaica filled with history but an opportunity for a bright future. The Convention Centre is part of the critical infrastructure needed to position Jamaica as an event tourism destination. We welcome all the new business opportunities it will bring; it simply cannot open too soon!”
Speaking at the ceremony, Xi Jingping, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China highlighted the importance of the past 36 years of diplomatic relationships and productive cooperation. Said the Chinese VP, “China highly values its friendly relations with Jamaica. We are ready to work with the Caribbean and the Latin American countries to promote social and economic growth and build a harmonious world.”
Vice President Xi added a historic touch to the ceremony during his 3-day stay, China’s first ever official visit to the island which is China’s biggest trading partner in English-speaking Caribbean countries. Said Xi, who described Jamaica as a world-renowned tourist destination with beautiful scenery, visited by travelers from all corners of the world, “I am convinced that the Convention Centre will become a milestone of cooperation between our two countries, and hope that this partnership between our countries will lead to further growth.”
Following the official groundbreaking ceremony, the two leaders shoveled the first symbolic pieces of top soil signifying the beginning of the construction phase expected to be completed in 20 months.
The only Caribbean stop on the Chinese VP’s official tour of the region, Xi met with Governor General Kenneth Hall, Prime Minister Golding and parliament leaders of Jamaica. Pledging to boost the nations’ friendly partnership for common development, Xi said that the Chinese government regards Jamaica as China’s important cooperation partner in the Caribbean region. During his visit, Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Golding signed seven bilateral loan and aid agreements totaling US$138M (J$12B) to be spent in the areas including trade, agriculture, infrastructural development, education and culture.
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