Published On:Friday, April 30, 2010

NOELLE NICOLLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

nnicolls@tribunemedia.net

CHINESE investors looking to enter the Bahamian agriculture market have a good reputation in their own country, Chinese Embassy officials said in an exclusive interview with The Tribune.

Jian Tan, chief of the commercial section in the Embassy of the People's Republic of China said the Chinese government only endorses plans for foreign direct investment in the Bahamas with qualified companies.

"If it may cause a problem to our relationship we would not let them come. For this company, they have very good experience in China in the agriculture field," said Mr Tan.

Representatives from China's Shandong International Economic and Technical Co-operation Corporation, a subsidiary of Shandong Hi-Speed Qila Build Group, conducted several prospecting trips to Abaco in the past year.

They were hosted by the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) to explore investment opportunities in the agriculture sector.

Mr Tan said the embassy did not find any negative reports out of China about the companies involved in talks with BAIC that would make they not want to support the talks.

Shandong Hi-Speed Qila Build Group has experience working in the Bahamas, as their other subsidiary, Qilu Construction Group Corporation, is the Chinese construction company working on the new national stadium.

Bahamian and Chinese government officials are waiting on official plans from the Chinese investors, but initial reports suggest they will feature a commercial initiative in the area of vegetable, fruit and livestock farming, and a possible food processing plant.

In the face of early criticism from some Bahamians, who have expressed concern about agro-pollution, an influx of Chinese labour and competition, Chinese officials have joined Bahamian government representatives in saying it is too early for criticism.

"In the Bahamas there are strict procedures in different government agencies. After the company provides the plan, the government agencies will review the plan in detail. I believe under the control of the Bahamian government, the investors can do a good job for environmental protection," said Mr Tan.

He confirmed the Abaco investment would be a private sector deal. He identified the natural environment as an area of competitive advantage for the Bahamas, particularly for the tourism industry, and said the policy and intention of the Chinese people is to protect the natural resources of the country.

He said employment is also a top priority for the Bahamas, so Chinese companies are encouraged to employ as many local workers as possible.

"For foreign direct investment, the Chinese government always emphasises to Chinese companies they must obey the laws and the good customs of host countries. They cannot break the laws nor do anything immoral," said Mr Tan.

He said the Chinese way was one of co-operation and that his government would work to ensure both countries benefited from the arrangement and achieved a win-win outcome.

"If the embassy predicts there will be some problems caused by the investment of an individual Chinese company we would rather they not come. We inform the companies at the very beginning that they should and must do an environmental impact assessment (EIA), because it is a major concern of the local people," said Mr Tan.

"I think for the agriculture investment in Abaco we can boast of not only bringing in the competition but also the co-operation. What the companies in the Abaco can do we can find many opportunities for co-operation," he said.