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The number is vastly inflated...whether $6B or wuss $10B ... KCT is an important regional facility but on the world level it's not in the top 60 or so container ports..it's rather small potatoes
The port asset should be leveraged yes...with downstream investments in logistics, assembly & light manufacturing etc..BUT...
... If it is going to the most likely candidate, China, there are substantial national security concerns for Jamaica
Hutchison Whampoa which is a front for the People's Republic already controls terminals straddling the Panama canal...Pacific and Atlantic coasts. If China also acquires KCT which commands the Atlantic approaches to the Canal...the United States will be further concerned about their strategic position in the region....especially since a conflict of some sort between the US and China appears inevitable within the next generation (20 years or so) although it may be fought via proxy.
I'm sure the US would demand some security guarantees from Jamaica before they ok'd such a deal...and believe me if they don't ok it...it's not happening.
That may be at play when you hear reports of "Beware of Chinese bearing Gifts"
That may be a reason for the lack of movement on the port by the PNP admin subsequent to Hu's visit...and the even longer delay over One Liad's brief admin
These security issues are often larger than the limited technical or economic considerations we tend to apply to them.
The port asset should be leveraged yes...with downstream investments in logistics, assembly & light manufacturing etc..BUT...
... If it is going to the most likely candidate, China, there are substantial national security concerns for Jamaica
Hutchison Whampoa which is a front for the People's Republic already controls terminals straddling the Panama canal...Pacific and Atlantic coasts. If China also acquires KCT which commands the Atlantic approaches to the Canal...the United States will be further concerned about their strategic position in the region....especially since a conflict of some sort between the US and China appears inevitable within the next generation (20 years or so) although it may be fought via proxy.
I'm sure the US would demand some security guarantees from Jamaica before they ok'd such a deal...and believe me if they don't ok it...it's not happening.
That may be at play when you hear reports of "Beware of Chinese bearing Gifts"
That may be a reason for the lack of movement on the port by the PNP admin subsequent to Hu's visit...and the even longer delay over One Liad's brief admin
These security issues are often larger than the limited technical or economic considerations we tend to apply to them.
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