SVG, Indonesia sign agreement for purchase of school bus

The deepening of bilateral relations between St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and the Republic of Indonesia has taken an important step, with the official signing of a Grant Agreement to Support Students’ Mobility in SVG, a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states.

This country’s ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Andreas Wickham, signed the Agreement on behalf of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in the presence of Ambassador-designate of Indonesia to SVG Imam Edy Mulyono, and the Direcrtor General of Budget Financing and Risk Management in the Ministry of Finance of Indonesia, Luky Alfirman.

The official signing which took place on November 1, at the Embassy of Indonesia in Caracas, Venezuela will trigger the transfer of approximately US118,500 from the Government of Indonesia for the purchase of a school bus, to assist in the transportation of students in SVG.

This Grant Agreement is one of three initiatives being pursued with the Government of Indonesia within the framework of co-operation between both countries, and all are being co-ordinated by the Embassies of both countries in Caracas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said negotiations are in an advanced stage on a Basic Economic and Technical Co-operation Agreement, as well as an Agreement on Visa Exemption for holders of Diplomatic and Official passports. Both draft Agreements are being finalized for official signing, shortly.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Republic of Indonesia established diplomatic relations on the November 30, 1993, and will celebrate the 28th Anniversary of this milestone during this month. Both countries have had a history of co-operation on issues of mutual interest at the United Nations and other multilateral fora.