PM Browne presses for work for locals as he holds high level talks with Chinese officials

(PRESS RELEASE)

On the heels of the 35^th Anniversary of Diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Charles Max Hernandez, held high-level discussions with Chinese Diplomatic officials and the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).

Chinese Ambassador, H.E. Wang Xianmin from the onset of discussions signaled the importance of what the session signifies. According to the ambassador, “this is a big day for our two nations, here and it is our hope that our flagship project will benefit everyone involved.”

January 15^th, marked the historic ground breaking ceremony for the largest public sector investment in the history of Antigua and Barbuda made possible by the government of Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China through the China Exim Bank and China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, acknowledged the importance of the talks and expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Nation, stressing the need for cooperation in the employment process for the landmark project.

“We are very excited about the project… it is historic, we want to make sure all stake holders benefit in the process, that the CCECC as the contractor makes a profit, but we want to make sure that the local stakeholders benefit as well. As you know, myself and our Ambassador have asked for a 40/60 ratio in terms of employment so that we absorb as many people as we can from the domestic market in order to help reduce unemployment in the country.”

The Prime Minister used the opportunity to explain how important local employment is to his government. He went on to elaborate on the policy his government has adopted since coming into office.

“We have to ensure we keep the social stability within the society of the country, and to ensure our people are happy. To be practical we want to ensure we have as many Antiguans and Barbudans as possible working on the site. We also would like to create the opportunity for the transfer of Technology,” the PM added.

The PM during the talks, requested that the Main Contractor –China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) make it possible for sub-contracting to local contractors, “so that we could build some capacity,” PM Browne said.

In response to the Prime Minister declarations, the Chinese delegation agreed for the need to continue building the relationship between China and Antigua. They also extended their gratitude to the people of Antigua and Barbuda for their cooperation between the two Nations.

The Chinese delegates and Chair of the CCECC, also used the opportunity to publicly agree with PM Browne in the hiring practices for the Contractors.

According Mr. Zhao, Chairman of the China Civil Engineering Construction Company, their company is presently is 89 countries, and “Antigua and Barbuda is a significant market.”

“It is also one of our company’s strategy to maximize employment locally, this is the only way we are able to stay,” the chairman said, responding to the aspect of local employment. “In other countries we also push for Management, local management,” he continued.

“For labour, skill or unskilled it is a must. We will also engage in transfer of technology, this is the only way we would be able to stay,” the Chairman reiterated.

Today is another new beginning,” the Chairman Commented, describing the ground breaking ceremony for the multimillion dollar port modernization project. “It is one of our most significant project globally, it is as the Prime Minister, and it is historic, chairman Zhao highlighted.

As a thank you for continued cooperation and friendly diplomatic ties between the two nations, the government of Antigua and Barbuda presented gifts to both the Chairman of the CCECC and Ambassador, H.E. Wang Xianmin. In return, the Chairman of the CCECC, Mr. Zhao presented an encrusted souvenir plate reflecting the rendering of the Port renovation project

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