The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade building located at the Old Myrtle Bank site on the Kingston Waterfront is gradually taking shape with the coastal protection structure /sheet piles being installed and the substructure and foundation for the Annex Building completed.  The foundation for the main building is scheduled for completion by the end of June 2017. 

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC), which is the overall project manager for the J$3.968 billion project, is working with the main contractor, Jiangsu Jiangdu Construction Group Ltd, and other stakeholders to complete this project by the end of 2018. The Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation and the National Environmental and Planning Agency (NEPA) have both endorsed the project through their regulatory approvals. 

Approximately J$3.267 Billion of the total project cost is being funded by a grant from the People’s Republic of China while the Government of Jamaica is providing funds for the coastal protection, drainage and external works. The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation is overseeing the project while the UDC is carrying out project management and technical support duties.  The National Works Agency is also providing technical support services with funding and monitoring activities being coordinated through the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.  

The project which is scheduled for completion in December 2018 involves the construction of a main office building consisting of eleven (11) floors which will accommodate executive offices and 17 departments, facilitating approximately 285 office staff, and incorporating adequate meeting and conference rooms. The two-floor annexed building will be used for dining, entertainment and other ancillary facilities.  
 
The Social Development Commission (SDC) coordinated sensitization activities in the communities around the construction site during the preparatory phase of the project. Local contractors are also engaged in the design and construction phases of the project with supporting workforce supplied from the surrounding communities.  
 
For further information, please contact 
The Corporate Relations Department 
Urban Development Corporation 
12 Ocean Boulevard, Kingston Mall 
Telephone: 656-8031 
Website: www.udcja.com 
Email: cr@udcja.com 
https://www.facebook.com/UrbanDevelopmentCorporation 
 
June 9, 2017