By Janet Silvera, Gleaner WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE PORT Authority's proposal to develop a multimillion-dollar duty-free shopping mall in Montego Freeport has got mixed reactions from members of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Already the idea of a mall is being hailed as a fillip for the tourist trade by Inbond Merchants Association president, Kumar Samtani.
"It's going to take duty-free shopping to another level, this is really a very positive move," said Mr. Samtani.
But businessman Michael Hicks, questioning whether it can work, said the state of crime in the western city could overshadow the project.
"Montego Bay desperately needs first-class shopping and nightlife; we need a variety of restaurants, but we need to get rid of crime first," he said at a meeting of the Chamber.
But Port Authority project director, Robert Stephens, undeterred by the comments, brushed off some of the concerns as "persons hooked forever into a negative syndrome."
He said the business community should instead be focusing on the financial benefits that can accrue to the resort city.
"The benefits will be significant and essentially will allow Jamaica to position itself as the Dubai of the Caribbean."
The much-anticipated mall is expected to change the face of shopping in the tourism capital and hopefully encourage the combined 1.5 million hotel and cruise ship visitors who pass through Montego Bay to spend more during their visit.
"This is a captive market for duty-free shopping and will give an additional marketing advantage to Montego Bay," Mr. Stephens told the chamber members. According him, many of the visitors are now saying they do not get sufficient opportunities to spend.
The project director said further that the new development could position Montego Bay to compete with Miami, other cities in the United States, and even Panama.
"We can compete on price and flexibility, as Jamaica will get prices lower than North America," he told Chamber Members at a recent meeting.
The shopping mall is to be developed on lands located next to the Montego Bay Free Zone, and depending on the response of prospective investors construction should start by May 2005.
In the meantime, feasibility studies are being done. At present, the project team is trying to identify potential private sector partners locally and internationally; develop detailed designs and costings for the infrastructure, and identify financing for the project.
