Sinopharm Pan-Caribbean to broaden operations in Jamaica beyond 2019
Published:Tuesday | December 18, 2018 | 12:00 AMPaul Clarke/Gleaner Writer
The Chinese presence in Jamaica dates back to the period of indentured labourers, between 1845 and 1917. Since then, both countries have enjoyed a strengthening of relations.
There have been investments by a number of Chinese companies with varying portfolio interests. In recent times, companies such as China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and Sinopharm International Corporation, headquartered in China, have made significant investments in the country. Sinopharm, a pharmaceutical and engineering outfit, was registered to operate here in 2016.
Sinopharm is also responsible for implementing China's 'Belt and Road' initiative in the Caribbean. The company's growing portfolio includes engineering, a production line for biotechnology and pharmaceutical and hospital management, and medical tourism facilities.
Peter Zheng, general manager of Sinopharm Pan-Caribbean, said that the company's business in Jamaica is driven by construction projects but the firm has diversified into other local synergistic interests.
"We were awarded our first construction project in Jamaica, building the new US$25-million, 10-floor GraceKennedy head office building in downtown Kingston, and now we are at the end of that project," Zheng said.
Sinopharm has strengthened its operations in Jamaica, adding to its portfolio the construction of the multiple-phase Orchards Economic Housing Project at Innswood, Spanish Town, St Catherine.
"This project includes the construction of housing solutions, pharmacy and small business centre, and so far it has been going very well. Phase one is almost completed and we believe we will give the client really good housing," Zheng noted.
He said that Jamaica has offered business opportunities to Sinopharm, many of which are yet to be rolled out. Zheng told The Gleaner that the company was here to help elevate the Jamaican people.
Parent company Sinopharm International has been doing business in more than 100 countries in Asian jurisdictions, including Japan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Bangladesh.
Zheng also stated that the company has left its footprints in South Africa, Uganda, and Kenya, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Barbados, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Panama.
"We, as the subsidiary of a state-owned company, have a vested interest in Jamaica and the region as well. In 2017, we had only one project going, and by 2018, we started another. Now in 2019, we will do more in the area of construction.
"But besides that, we will be using this general engineering corporation to diversify the other aspect, which is pharmaceutical trading, medical devices supplier, and also the training of Jamaican nurses in China," Zheng said.
He stated that the backgrounds of Sinopharm's employees range from engineering to international trade, noting, however, that both Jamaican and Chinese employees have a strong sense of enterprise and responsibility, and are dedicated to developing the Jamaican market.