SVG and the EU review EC$178 million projects portfolio

Officials of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean on March 21 conducted a comprehensive Country Portfolio Review (CPR).{{more}} The purpose of the CPR exercise was to review the various ongoing and recently concluded programmes financed by the EU in St Vincent and the Grenadines, such as the multi-annual support as part of the Banana Accompanying Measures, the Education Information Communication Technology project, and Modernization of the Health Sector programme. The CPR also provided an avenue to discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from the joint management of the country’s national portfolio with the EU. At present St Vincent and the Grenadines’’ current active portfolio with the EU stands at around 50 million or approximately EC$178 million.

Under the Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM), which was set up to assist ACP banana exporters adjust to new trading arrangements, St Vincent has been allocated €10 million (EC $35.8 million). The BAM is expected to address food security and nutrition, small scale commercial farming and trans-boundary pest and diseases. It is expected that its implementation will result in improved agriculture infrastructure; greater access to credit facilities; improved environmental management systems and land use practices; and the development of agribusiness incubators.

The EU’s contribution to the ongoing ICT for Education project is 12 million (EC $43 million), which is part of the country’s education policy and administrative management strategy. This project includes the expansion of the Community College Campus which will be ready for occupancy by January 2013.

The health sector modernization programme is being supported through a grant from the EU of 10 million (EC $35.8 million). The aim of the intervention is to improve the quality of health care delivery in St Vincent and the Grenadines by supporting the government’s public sector reform process in the health sector, thereby improving the potential of the population to live healthier and more productive lives.

Expected results include improved management of chronic non-communicable diseases; enhancement of the delivery and management of health care services and the further development of human resource management in the health sector.

Past EU support to St Vincent and the Grenadines includes the Education Support Programme, Tourism Development Programme, Windward Highway Rehabilitation, and the Private Sector Development project.