Questions over Cayman-China Port Deal

Opposition members of Cayman’s Legislative Assembly are questioning the decision by the government to make a deal with the China Harbour Engineering Company to build a new cruise port. “I would like to know if the governor, through the secretary of state, has given the premier authority to negotiate with a foreign country,” said People’s Progressive Movement member for East End Arden McLean. According to McLean, the Cayman Islands Constitution provides that the government must secure permission from both the governor and the secretary of state to negotiate with foreign governments. He said that there was nothing indicating anything “untoward,” but urged the government to be “extremely careful” in proceeding. China Harbour is working on a number of projects throughout the Caribbean, including new infrastructure projects in Abaco and Exuma in the Bahamas and a $400 million road project in Jamaica. [Caymanian Compass]