Grenada to deepen tourism, investment links with China

Grenada will create more opportunities to encourage tourism and investment from China, according to Denis G. Antoine, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary at the Grenadian embassy in Beijing.

Located in the southeastern Caribbean, Grenada is known as the Spice Island as it is endowed with spices such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger, mace and allspice.

"Grenada's physical geography features great islets, mountains, rainforests, beautiful beaches and its rich architectural heritage. If there are two words to remind you of Grenada instantly, they would be 'spices and beauty'," Antoine said.

The country also has the largest medical school in the world, recruiting students from more than 140 countries.

"We are beginning to attract more Chinese tourists into Grenada," Antoine said.

In addition to tourism, Grenada and China have great potential for further cooperation in real estate, aquaculture, solar energy, ecological agriculture, culture, education and other fields, he added.

At present, various Chinese companies have invested in real estate, restaurants and aquatic products in Grenada.

Two years ago, the two countries signed a mutual visa waiver agreement, allowing Chinese passport holders to enter Grenada without a visa and stay there for up to 90 days.

However, there are currently no direct flights between China and Grenada. Chinese people usually have to transfer in the United States, Canada, Europe or other countries before arriving in Grenada.

The country is therefore making efforts to negotiate the development of a route from China to Cuba, and then on to Grenada with Chinese airlines. Such a move would significantly shorten the time and traveling distance between the two countries. Grenada provides investors with a friendly investment environment and a variety of incentives. A big enough investment will bring about the chance to obtain permanent residency and citizenship.

At the 2016 China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services, some Caribbean states, including Grenada, the Bahamas and Jamaica, held special events together.

Ambassador Antoine said that this year's special event will see Grenada demonstrate the advantages of its resources and provide more cooperation projects.

(China Daily 06/02/2017 page5)