The Governments of Jamaica and the People’s Republic of China, on Thursday (September 19), signed a protocol governing the export of frozen lobster from the island to the Chinese market.
The agreement outlines the sanitary and hygienic conditions necessary to facilitate such export and the responsibilities of the local competent authority/veterinary services division in coordination with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC).
Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, in his remarks at the signing ceremony held at the Ministry’s Hope Gardens offices in St. Andrew, said that the agreement is “a big step in the right direction, because it further expands the market for the export of frozen lobsters into China”.
He urged potential exporters and other stakeholders to comply with the requirements.
Minister Shaw said the new agreement expands on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the countries on September 22, 2017 for the export of other fisheries products into China.
“Under that agreement, our two countries agreed to cooperate regarding the promotion of the export of [live] spiny lobster and queen conch in the first instance, and, thereafter, other fishery products from Jamaica to China with a view to expeditiously establish an effective and mutually beneficial trade relationship,” he noted.
Minister Shaw said that since that MOU signing, a protocol for the export of live lobster was developed and ratified by both countries, and there has been steady export of live spiny lobster from Jamaica to China.
“In 2018, over 23,700 kilograms (kg) of live spiny lobster were exported to China. The expectation is that over 28,000 kgs of live lobster will be exported in 2019,” he said.
China’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Tian Qi, who signed on behalf of his Government, said that the protocol for the export of frozen lobster is indicative of the countries’ longstanding cooperation and friendship.
He noted that last year, trade between the two countries reached US$600 million, adding that Jamaica’s export to China doubled.
“Jamaica is the largest trade partner of China in the whole Caribbean, and total investment from China to Jamaica reached to $2 billion and created more than 20,000 job opportunities to the local society,” he added.
He said with the signing of the protocol, trade between the two countries will continue to increase.
Smh so China will over fish our sea to feed its people while we get nothing in return crooked Jamaican Politicians
Duplicate and sell the fake lobster right back to us…
I laugh in Cantonese
Dem stop eat dog and cat now? It’s lobster and conch to them ting!
When is it that the people in Jamaica are going to open their eyes to the fact that the Chinese are like modern day LOCUST?
Do you think that any foreigners could go to China and do what they are doing to other people’s country? Most Jamaican are too likey likey. Unno betta wake up before its too late. Gwan mek China promise unno the moon and belive it. Unno nuh see seh unno politican sell out the country? Marcus; Cudjo; Nanny; Norman Manley; Michael Manley ; Paul Bogle; George William Gordon and Sam Sharp ,jand all the others who truly loved our island and are no longer here with us must be turning in their graves. Jamaicans used to be known as a people who stood up for their rights, but that was then. These nowadays days Jamaicans has no values. The dignity has been lost. All they want is free Ness. They would sell out their parents for a little saltfish or goat head soup. Unno disgusting nuh bump o Clawt. Gwan man, when the Chinese, whom yuh think is your saviour finish with unno, unno bawl tears of blood. Fool fool idiot people. Let me put it to you lot in this way and ask unno self this question. Should war start tomorrow, do you think that the Chinese will be assisting Jamaica? Why do you think that the west are cautious of both China and Russia. ? Unno stay deh with unno eyes open,and yet still a gwan like unno comatose.
So where is this moneye going? Is it lining minister Henry’s pocket. I would like for the govermoment to publish in details all the circumstances surrounding this agreement. Prior to this, the Chinese said that they wanted lobster s and other fish as well as other things in the sea. Now my question is, what are the other things they were referring to? Jamaica’s sea is filled with a lot of ships what was transporting gold and other gem from bounty that the pirates had stolen, some of these ships sunk and are in jamaica’s water. Do you think that the Chinese love or need this much lobsters to invest so much money in? Jamaican people like wake up. Minister Henry, you will answer to God for what you are knownly doing. You are corrupted and you need to be investigated sooner that later.
In saying so, what is the opposition party doing about these issues affecting jamaica and her citizens?
Look at what is happening in the UK. When politicians seems to be action illegally, they are taken to court. In Jamaica , politicians who were elected by the people to represent them, fail them by keeping quiet.
The international community needs to hear and see that the Jamaican political representing are all corrupt and outside intervention is needed. They need to start sanctioning them, because they are not adearing to the rule of law, nor are they living up to treat your agreementsearch they signed up to, namely , global warming issues. And another thing is that, a memorandum of understanding is NOT A LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE AGREEMENT. IF BOTH PARTIES, THE CHINESE AND THE JAMAICAN GOVERNMENT HAD THE TRUE AND GENUINE INTENTION OF HAVING A LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT IN REGARDS, THE LOBSTERS AND OTHER FISH AND OTHER THINGS (?) WHY IS IT NOT LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE? ILLETERATE, MIKE HENRY AND YOUR FRIENDS, yuh think is all JAMAICA’S CHILDREN A IDIOT, CORRUPT dutty POLITICIAN. What , Jamaican people nuh wah eat lobster tub?
Please go on YouTube and watch the Bloomburg interview with Andrew Holness where he said, the Chinese investment will aid Jamaica’s growth.