By Adrian Frater, News EditorWESTERN BUREAU:
POINTING TO the city's worldwide recognition, international orientation and good infrastructure, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson said Montego Bay, the nation's tourist capital, is now well-placed to become an international business centre.
Prime Minister Patterson, who was speaking recently at the ground-breaking for the US$380 Iberostar Resort and Spa, highlighted factors such as the Sangster International Airport being Air Jamaica's hub, the planned expansion of the Montego Bay port, the advanced state of the new North Coast Highway and the $600-million Shoppes At Rose Hall project as signs of the expansion now taking place.
"The Port Authority has informed me that agreement has been reached with cruise lines for the expansion of the port. The board has already given the go-ahead to its team of engineers to begin the design work," said Mr. Patter-son. "The authority has also received an offer of US$20 million towards the funding."
In a bid to determine what other critical professional services Montego Bay might require to ensure that it remains competitive and attractive to in-vestors, the Prime Minister said JAMPRO, through its Indus-try Advisory Board, is currently conducting a professional survey to identify the services already available and those that will be needed.
"Working under the umbrella of JAMPRO, the Industry Advisory Board, comprising legal experts, bankers, accountants, medical professionals and people involve in educational services, are now conducting a professional service survey to assess the core human resources already available," the Prime Minister said. "We are designing the strategy and framework, including legislative and other requirements to create the international business centre I contemplate."
In speaking specifically to the new Iberostar development, Mr. Patterson said it would, "Enhance the facilities which Montego Bay will have to offer to the increased number of vacationers and business travellers which these new developments will no doubt attract."
