The Belt and Road: Hanwang Caribbean Economic and Trade Forum jointly hosted by Beijing International Exchange Association Sustainable Development Committee(SDC), Caribbean-China People Foundation(CCPF) and organized byNew Life Town Group was successfully held in Sint Maarten in the Dutch Caribbean, September 17, 2016.
The forum focused on how Sint Maarten and the Caribbean region can positively respond and tap on China’s “Belt and Road” initiative with the help of civil platforms to foster stronger international cooperation, cultural exchange, attract Chinese and International SMEs and drive economic growth in the region. The forum also deliberates on how to Caribbean and Sint Maarten can play the role of the “Economic Bridge” between China and Latin America.
Participants from Sint Maarten includes William V. Marlin, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten; Richard Gibson, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Edson Kirindongo, Minister of Justice; Angel Meyers, Minister of Planning and Development; Silveria E. Jacobs, Minster of Culture, Education and Sports; Cengiz Kucuk, Executive Chairman of Caribbean-China People Foundation, in addition to numerous key parliament members and representatives from various local political parties.
Participants from China includes Zhang Weixin, Consul General of People's Republic of China in Willemstad(Dutch Caribbean); Ding Cuiyu, Commerical Consul; Cui Shuqiang, Board Member of SDC and Chairman of New Lifetown Group; He Yongjun, Researcher and Journalist of People’s Daily, Jonathan Lin, Founder of Social Entrepreneurs with Integrity Association (SEIA Singapore); Grace Sung, President of Hong Kong Elegant Charm; Sam Lim, Malaysia IT Infrastructure and National Security Technical Consultant; Felix Ko, President of Toronto Canada Kin-Gao Group and local Chinese Entrepreneurs.
During the Forum, Prime Minister William V. Marlin expressed that Sint Maarten will strengthen exchange with China in both public and private sectors and are willing to make Sint Maarten a trade, finance and cultural hub between China, the Caribbean and Latin America. Chinese Consul General to the Dutch Caribbean, Zhang Weixin also shared details on the “Belt and Road” initiative at the forum and expressed that China is willing to extend this initiative to the Sint Maarten and Caribbean region. Reporter He Yongjun from People’s Daily further shared news reports of key visits by Chinese key leaders to the Caribbean and Latin America.
Sint Maarten is strategically located in the northern region of the Caribbean, close to Florida, Central and South America. Due to the shorter sea freight routes, high quality Chinese products can be effectively shipped to these regions at low cost through Sint Maarten. Moreover, based on the report by the World Bank in 2015, Sint Maarten ranks first in terms of integrated development in the Caribbean. Hence Sint Maarten holds high potential for Chinese companies to expand their businesses to Caribbean and South America.
The Pearl of China-Caribbean project is one that fits the “Belt and Road” initiative for Chinese companies to enter the international market and it is also first project that centers itself on Ecological Development. The project aims to develop an International Exchange, Trade, Business Incubation Center to facilitate cooperation between China and Latin America.
From left to right: Zhang Weixin, Cui Shuqiang, William V. Marlin, Richard Gibson
On the afternoon of September 17, 2016, the ground-breaking ceremony was officially launched to commemorate the start of the Pearl of China-Caribbean project. The ceremony was witnessed by Chinese General Consul, Zhang Weixin, Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Sint Maarten as well as a group of local and international business representatives. The project is also well received by the local community and are strongly supported by the Sint Maarten government.
Current status of the Pearl of China-Caribbean project:
Site Area: 32000 m2, Total Floor Area：71169 m2, Total Floors：12
No. of Apartments: 460, Hotel Rooms: 280
Construction Period: 1 Year
Build Structure: Steel Structure with Glass based Façade