As talks successfully progress between China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and the Cayman Islands Government, officials from the international marine engineering and infrastructure construction firm have been highlighting the benefits the crucial project will bring to the Cayman Islands economy.

Mr Zhongdong Tang, CHEC Regional Director for the Caribbean and Latin America said once the George Town cruise port is completed, the Cayman Islands will be able to truly retain its position as cruise ship destination of choice.

“Recent statistics released by a Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association-commissioned study highlighted the tremendous benefits cruise tourism can bring to a jurisdiction, with cruise tourism generating more than $1.9 billion in direct expenditures and 45,000 jobs during 2011/2012 for the Latin America and Caribbean region alone,” he said. “Once Cayman’s brand new cruise port is operational, we are confident that the Island will maintain its position as a first class, highly sought-after cruise destination and the economy as a whole will see a strengthening as a result.”

In addition to the benefits a strengthened cruise tourism product will bring to the Islands, Mr Tang confirmed that his company brings with it considerable expertise in its field, as CHEC has been recognised globally as a major contractor, with more than USD10 billion worth of projects currently on the go in more than 70 countries.

“CHEC not only brings highly technically-skilled and efficient professionals to the project, it is also undertaking to finance the entire George Town cruise port project, which creates an important complete package for the Islands,” he confirmed. “We also intend to use our skills to train the local workforce to ensure that as many local residents benefit from the job creation the new project will produce.”

According to Mr Tang, CHEC will work with and train local companies in as many aspects of the project as possible, in order to spread the economic benefits a project of such magnitude will bring to the Islands. Mr Tang also confirmed that an announcement will soon be forthcoming to update the Cayman Islands public as to the current status of the project.

Mr Tang concluded: “The Cayman Islands is a vibrant and progressive environment in which to work and CHEC is delighted to be able to work in this public/private partnership with the Cayman Islands Government to further benefit all citizens of the Islands. We look forward to completing our discussions with the Cayman Islands Government and then taking the next steps to begin creating a first class cruise tourism product for the Islands.”