Govt preparing investment projects for shipping, logistics industry

Jamaica's government is working to facilitate a package of investment projects to strengthen the country's shipping and logistics sector, announced industry, investment and commerce minister Anthony Hylton. The investment is "considerable" and involves a number of projects that have the potential to transform the country's economic landscape, government news agency JIS reported Hylton as saying. Projects include dredging the Kingston harbor and expanding port facilities, as well as setting up a dry dock at Jackson bay in Clarendon parish and a bunkering facility at Cow bay in the town of Yallahs, St Thomas parish. Other projects include construction of a cargo and maintenance, repair and operations facility at Vernamfield in Clarendon and development of the Caymanas Economic Zone. "Altogether, these projects represent a potential investment effort that will drive growth and employment for many years, positioning Jamaica as the logistic hub for trade in the Americas," said Hylton.