Ambassador Hugh highlights importance of Jamaican products to China

In a November 2 interview with the state-funded international news media China Global Television Network (CGTN), Ambassador Hugh reflects on last year’s inauguration, expectations this year and opportunities for Jamaican companies.

“For Jamaican companies the opportunity in China definitely lies with the world famous Jamaican rum and globally recognised gourmet coffee, Blue Mountain,” he told CGTN’s reporter Wang Hui. “In addition, Jamaican companies have been testing the Chinese market for our spicy sauces.”

He added: “The Chinese market is so large that we believe with our presence of our products in only a few cities we can achieve tremendous success for our products.”

Jamaica were among many nations that had their companies participate in the first edition last year as foreign corporations seek headways to gain entry into the lucrative Chinese market.

“We are not only hoping to promote our products or export, but also focus on informing potential Chinese investors,” Ambassador Hugh said of his expectations of the event which is likely to see an estimated 500,000 professional buyers descend on the National Exhibition and Convention Center.

“Our key sector focus are the development and operations of key special economic zones and industrial parks, renewable energy like wind power, solar power and waste energy and logistics… investing in agri parks.”

Hugh, who is of Chinese heritage, said the CIIE “will bring long term benefits” to countries like Jamaica.

He said: “The first CIIE demonstrates china’s commitment to win-win solutions and to import more goods and explore third-party markets, corporation via joint venture and other types of partnerships with foreign companies like this. This initiative will bring long term benefits to developing countries.”