CHINESE MONEY FOR BUSINESS PARKS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Port of Spain, June 13- The government of Trinidad and Tobago will have immediate access to the US$3 billion that the Chinese government has offered the Caribbean region.

Speaking at the Caribbean Investment Forum in Port of Spain, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told an audience of businessmen, politicians and representatives of delegations from 27 countries that government will have immediate access to the US$3 billion to accelerate the development of business/commercial and industrial parks throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

"We will be building seven such parks on 592.1 acres of land representing an investment of TT$833 million. The leasable space on the estates would be 355.7 acres. This would give an immediate boost to our country’s economic activity,” she said.

The prime minister also revealed that, following discussions with China, the government has already had an expression of interest from one prestigious Chinese ship and dry docking company that wishes to partner with government for the development of dry docking and ship building facilities.

She added that there will also be opportunities for investment in the renewable energy sector in the wake of the US Department of Energy signing a memorandum of understanding to establish a renewable energy research centre on one of the university campuses.

After the plenary session the prime minister responded briefly to questions from reporters. Regarding the email scandal she said that she had not been approached by Deputy Commissioner of Police Mervyn Richardson and she noted that it was a police matter.

Asked if she would be passing her password to the police, as did the attorney general, she said no one had asked her for any information but should the investigators need any information from her she stood ready to assist in any way that she could.

<