By KARL E CUPID Tobago Bureau Friday, June 27 2008

THE possibility of Chinese investment in Tobago’s tourism sector as well as technical assistance in the island’s proposed industrial thrust, were among issues discussed when a Chinese contingent paid a courtesy call yesterday on THA Chief Secretary Orville London.

He Guoqiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China met with London, THA Secretary of Finance Dr Anselm London and assistant Secretary in the Office of the Chief Secretary, Frank Roberts. London told Newsday the discussions focused primarily on strengthening relations between China and TT.

“We spoke of course mainly about tourism...China as a potential tourism market, but also the possibility of Chinese investment in the tourist industry in Tobago, perhaps in the area of ‘high-end’ accommodation on which we are now focusing,” London said.

He explained that Tourism Secretary Neil Wilson had prepared a special portfolio of suitable locations for that kind of investment and the THA was “now on the market” for potential investors.

“There was also discussion on the possibility of even utilising the Chinese experience in industrialisation and what kind of role they can play in our efforts to diversify the Tobago economy,” he added. He said Cove Estate Eco-Industrial and Business Park initiative formed part of the talks. He said it was also recognised that despite the vast difference between “massive China and tiny Tobago” there were certain social challenges which the Chinese had addressed in a particular way, which could be of relevance in the Tobago scenario.