Santa Lucía recibirá fondos de Taiwán para financiar hospitales y la industria pesquera

Taiwan provides funding for projects in St. Lucia

Taiwan is providing an EC$13.1 million (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents) grant to St. Lucia to fund three projects identified by the Kenny Anthony administration.

A government statement said that EC$8.3 million will be used for the Constituency Development Programme (CDP); EC$$4.2 m for the St. Judes Hospital Reconstruction project and just over half a million dollars to upgrade the island’s fishing industry.

“It is my firm belief that through our joint effort and cooperation programme, the existing close relations between St .Lucia and the Republic of China (Taiwan) will be further strengthened and continue to bring benefits to our two peoples,” said Taiwanese Ambassador James Chang.

Prime Minister Anthony said given the tough economic situation facing St. Lucia he was thankful for the funding.

“I hope that these grant funds are seen as good news for our country especially at this time. Our friends matter at all times but they are even more precious in these stern and challenging times. With their help we continue to begin planning for reconstruction and rebuilding a stronger, more prosperous, more resilient nation, “he said.

Anthony said the EC$24 million allocated to the CDP during the 2013/2014 financial year had now been fully received and assured the Taiwanese diplomat that 17 constituencies had benefited from the programme.

“By the end of March 2014 the programme should also be in a position to provide a comprehensive annual report of all works done and the overall impact in terms of employment generation,” he said.

Earlier this year, Ambassador Chang presented a US$200,000 cheque towards the rehabilitation of the island following the passage of a low level trough that killed six people and left millions of dollars in damage.

http://www.antiguaobserver.com/taiwan-provides-funding-for-projects-in-st-lucia/