Government of SVG receives EC$3.4 million from Taiwan

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines received EC$3.4 million (US$1.274) from the Government and people of the Republic of China on Taiwan on Wednesday, January 18.{{more}}

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves explained that the money will be put towards the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) programme and towards rehabilitation work following the heavy rains in April 2011.

“This is a mixture of monies both from the US$2 million which had been negotiated for the April floods and also monies for the civic development fund (YES programme),” Gonsalves explained.

He further noted that part of the funds received was from the US$2.5 million which is given annually towards the civic development project by the Taiwanese.

$830,000 is expected to go towards the Langley Park river basin project; $402,300 and $581,000 are expected to go towards sections of the Vermont – Francois bridge, and $1.5 million is expected to be allocated to the YES programme, which according to the prime minister was essentially monies reimbursed under the YES programme as payment in the third and fourth quarters of 2011.

The prime minister explained that the donation was “separate and distinct” from the US$30 million already promised by the Taiwanese which will be put towards the construction of the terminal building at the Argyle International Airport.

With regard to the YES programme, Gonsalves said that $2.8 million had been budgeted this year and that the government spends over US$1 million annually on the project.

But he said that he knew that the government of Taiwan was pleased with the programme because it was a people centred project.

“It touches young people and the hardworking people of Taiwan see where their money is going,” Gonsalves said, as he expressed his gratitude for receiving the funds.

Taiwanese Ambassador, H.E Weber Shih, lauded the programme saying that he knew that the generosity of his government has ensured that the programme continued to bear fruit.

The Ambassador promised that the cordial, diplomatic relations which currently exist will continue between the two countries and that he looked forward to strengthening the relationship between the two countries.(DD)