KINGSTON, Jamaica – (JIS) – The Port Authority of Jamaica is moving ahead with plans to develop a modern distribution hub in Kingston under its subsidiary company, Jamaica International Free Zone Development Company.
Plans were initiated last year for the development of the facility, which will facilitate the re-distribution of goods, particularly from Europe and Asia, into the United States, England, Central and South America.
Minister of Housing, Transport, Water and Works, Robert Pickersgill, in his contribution to the 2006/2007 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House yesterday (July 4), said that the development of the facility, would expand the income base and improve the profitability of the Port Authority.
He informed that, “enterprises operating in the distribution hub will. be involved in the stripping, re-packaging, assemble and redistribution of goods. There will be scope for accommodating light manufacturing”.
According to the Minister, “the development of distribution hub capacities will open up opportunities for international manufacturers to redistribute cargo on a timely basis in this hemisphere. The facilities will also provide a base for manufacturing and export to the region, while creating a solid platform for the marketing of goods and services offered by Jamaica and other Caribbean countries”.
Meanwhile, Zim Shipping Line has also begun distribution hub operations in the island under a partnership agreement with the Port Authority.
The Minister explained that “the Zim Company plans to offer logistics services including deconsolidation of shipments from China and other countries, and re-packaging for destinations throughout the Americas. It is expected to handle 300, 600 and 1,000 containers a month in the first, second and third year respectively”.
