KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 23, CMC – Jamaica has signed a two year agreement with the China-based Communications Construction Company (CCCC) for undertaking infrastructural development projects here.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who signed the accord with CCCC chairman, Zhou Jichang,  said that the “projects which will flow from this agreement must bring mutual economic benefit, deliver value for money and improve the social well-being and the standard of living of our people”.

Under the agreement, CCCC will identify and propose projects for the modernization, enhancement and development of Jamaica’s infrastructure, including the construction of roads, bridges, ports, waterways, shipping facilities, light railways systems for cargo and passengers, hotels, housing education and recreational facilities.

Prime Minister Simpson Miller said that the accord was not a contract but an agreement for CCCC to propose projects to be implemented which would first have to be approved by Cabinet and the relevant agencies of government.

The agreement also requires that for each infrastructure development project proposed, information must also be provided as to the financing options, source of funding and indicative terms and conditions.

CCCC is the state-owned parent company of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), which currently has four projects in Jamaica, including the Rio Grande Bridge which is expected to be completed next month and the Palisadoes Shoreline Project that is due for completion in December.

The company is to begin a US$600 million highway project next year linking Caymanas in St Catherine to Ocho Rios in St Ann.

Prime Minister Simpson Miller said that CCCC is also involved in a US$71 million housing project providing 3,500 housing units in St Ann and St. Elizabeth. That project is being financed by the Export-Import Bank of China.