20.NOV.09
As work on the Cross Country Road enters its third phase, the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines received a donation of US$744,000 from the Government of China on Taiwan.{{more}}
The handing over took place on Friday, November 13, at Cabinet Room. On hand to receive the donation from Taiwanese Ambassador His Excellency Leo Lee was Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.
Gonsalves said after the Environmental Impact Assessment, alterations and adjustments had to be made to the original designs but the technical work was ongoing and environmentally sound innovations would be made.
Gonsalves said the government was continuing to do work which would bring fundamental changes economically and socially to St Vincent and the Grenadines. He added that the cross-country road is part of the continued infrastructural development of the country.
Gonsalves said he was proud to have the Taiwanese as partners in the project since Taiwan had gone through a similar process in the 1950âs where they constructed a cross country road.
He said of the $26 million allocated to the project, 13 million is part of a grant, while the other 13 is part of a soft loan.
Ambassador Leo Lee, in his remarks, noted that Taiwan had constructed a cross country road from 1957-1960 and that that road has contributed significantly to Taiwanâs economic development.
Ambassador Lee said from Taiwanâs experience, the building of the Cross Country Road provided jobs for the people, tourism was boosted, and agriculture through the development of orchards in that region. (API)
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