Brazil donates US$62,000 for reconstruction efforts

Earlier this week, Renato Xavier, Brazil’s Ambassador to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, presented a letter of confirmation to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves{{more}} stating that his country will be donating US$62,000 to assist Vincentians with its reconstruction efforts in the wake of the trough system that affected the northern section of the country in April 2011.

Xavier made the official announcement at Cabinet Room on Tuesday, May 10, in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

He said even though the Prime Minister’s visit to Brazil was short, it was efficient.

Xavier told Gonsalves that he is sure that Brazilians enjoyed his presence and considered it an honour that he took two days of his time to visit their country.

“I am sure that this short visit also helped the Brazilians decide Brazil’s contribution to St.Vincent on the occasion of the disaster of the floods between April 10th and 12th,” said Xavier.

“This is a token gift of Brazil in recognition of your friendship, your kindness to us and the hope that my presence here will be an increased instrument of cooperation and good relations, both bilateral and multilateral in the world,” said Xavier.

The ambassador said St.Vincent and the Grenadines and Brazil share many common causes as well as many common conditions to develop and to work on.

“I beg from you and your government to let me do a good job to make our countries and people ever better friends,” said Xavier.

Prime Minister Gonsalves, when he visited Sao Paulo, Brazil, a few days ago, was informed by Brazil’s Foreign Ministry, Caribbean Affairs Division, of that country’s commitment to assist St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

Gonsalves said the funds will be channelled to the Caribbean Disaster Management Agency, Bridgetown, Barbados, which would work with NEMO.

Gonsalves described the donation as a significant contribution to the recovery effort.

Last week, Gonsalves and a delegation from the investment promotions firm, Invest SVG, visited Brazil to explore new opportunities.