The Editor, Sir:

The Beijing Olympics and the positive exposure for Jamaica due to the performances and conduct of our Jamaican team, now needs to be capitalised on to ensure that we become the centre for trade in the Americas or the 'Dubai of the Caribbean'.

This vision had a previous life when we were hosts to the China-Caribbean Trade Fair and Economic Forum in February of 2005. Arising out of this event, Jamaica signed 11 memoranda of understanding with various organisations in China.

Railway in Jamaica

Two very important memoranda related to the resuscitation of the railway in Jamaica and an agreement between the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) and China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), the latter of which, essentially was to lead to cooperation between the two organisations to develop the shipping port and logistics capacity of Jamaica.

Since the signing of these agreements in 2005, we have still not been able to consummate a final agreement in either case, though there has been significant progress with respect to the railway in recent times, which suggests that an agreement is imminent.

The development of Jamaica as the distribution and manufacturing hub for goods sourced from China can be the base for the expansion of the volumes passing through our existing port facilities as well as our logistics capabilities and eventually will lead to the expansion of the port and form the basis for the development of Vernamfield as a major airport and logistics centre.

Business opportunities

The jobs and general business opportunities that will be generated out of these developments will provide a tremendous boost for our economy and put Jamaica back in the position of being the centre of trade in the Americas as it was in the late 1600s.

Jamaica's profile throughout the world has jumped several notches because of the efforts and performances of our Olympic team. However, we must now capitalise on the goodwill, especially with the Chinese and move with alacrity to realise the vision of Jamaica as the 'Dubai of the Caribbean' by following up on the agreements we entered into from 2005 and move the vision to reality. Peace and love.

I am, etc.,

ROBERT STEPHENS

Pragma Consultants Ltd

bspragma@hotmail.com