Malaysia PM reiterates willingness to assist SVG

Plans for the construction of an international airport at Argyle on the east coast of mainland St. Vincent are progressing.

Relocation of residents and acquisition of property within the designated site have been occupying the attention of the International Airport Development Company (IADC), charged with responsibility for managing the construction of the international airport. {{more}}

A “coalition of willing countries” keen on ensuring the success of the project had previously been named, and now another nation has joined that list.

That State is Malaysia. Its Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ended a visit here last Tuesday. Badawi indicated his country’s willingness to assist with this country’s economic development.

International airport development is one area for cooperation between the two countries. That was outlined in a joint statement by the two prime ministers before Badawi’s departure.

Prime Minister Dr. Gonsalves is looking forward to the IADC working along with the Malaysian Airport Authority as an “instrument for financing and managing of the airport development.”

Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and Trinidad and Tobago have been identified as countries in the “coalition of the willing” who have agreed to partner with St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the construction of the international airport, estimaged to cost EC$450 million.

Two other countries, Cuba and Venezuela, have pledged commitment to the project, described as the single largest capital project to have been undertaken here.