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Senior diplomats from the embassies of the island nations of Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, and Grenada, in Beijing, were trying their utmost to promote their countries on May 30, at a one-day seminar dealing with Caribbean Service Industries, as part of China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services.
The ambassadors of five countries, whose relations with China have grown a lot in recent years through high-level visits, had a very tight schedule in which to present their strengths, followed by a one-on-one session where they could speak with any Chinese businessmen- interested, with the goal of attracting Chinese investment.
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Banners of Caribbean countries at China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services, in Beijing. [Photo by Wang Zhen/chinadaily.com.cn] |
The sun-drenched Caribbean is known for its tourism market and financial services and attractiveness to foreign direct investment, but, the island countries may not be all that familiar with Chinese companies and businesses, especially small-to-mid-sized ones, and this event was a good place to get to know them.
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Trinidad and Tobago ambassador in a presentation to the audience, on May 30. [Photo by Wang Zhen/chinadaily.com.cn] |
One participant, Sally Tong, from Beijing's Golden Will Industry which handles machinery exports, explained their interest in the event, after finishing a talk with a diplomat from the Jamaican embassy in Beijing, by saying, "We' re not familiar with these countries, and the seminar gives us a good opportunity to talk to their ambassadors directly." Tong says her company has operated in Central American countries over the past 20 years, and is now seeks interested in the Caribbean islands.
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Grenada ambassador speaking with Chinese guests who are interested in businesses in that country. [Photo by Wang Zhen/chinadaily.com.cn] |
In summing up the seminar, Chelston Brathwaite, the Barbadian ambassador to China, says it is a good chance to get to know the Chinese market more, and, "China's economy is in a transition from export-driven to consumer-driven, so we want to know more about what strategies are used in the process."
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Group photo at the end of the seminar. [Photo by Wang Zhen/chinadaily.com.cn] |
This is the first time for the group of Caribbean countries to participate in the China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services and it allows them to share their resources and know-how so that they can have a greater impact on China and help attract a greater number of Chinese investors.
