Hundreds of Dominicans to benefit from Chinese cash bonanza

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

ROSEAU, Dominica: Hundreds of Dominicans look set to benefit from an EC$16 million cash windfall from the Government of the Peoples Republic of China. Last month, the Government of Dominica severed ties with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.

As a result of this new relationship, the Chinese Government has agreed to fund four major infrastructure projects in Dominica valued in excess of EC$300 million.

As a result of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s mission to China last month, the sum of US$4 million in cash was also promised. Less than two weeks ago, US$4 million was deposited at the National Bank of Dominica. Mr Skerrit then requested an additional US$2 million.

Earlier Tuesday, Prime Minister Skerrit confirmed that the additional US$2 million had arrived in the government account at the NBD, bringing the total to US$6 million or just over EC$16 million.

Hundreds of Dominicans are now set to benefit directly from this Chinese cash injection. These include the nearly 300 Dominicans students studying in Cuba, the Dominica Police Force, financial assistance to Public Officers studying at the Dominica State College and the University of the West Indies, School of Continuing Studies in Dominica, EC$1 million for Tourism, over $300,000 will be made available to the Dominica Banana Producer LTD, monies will be made available to the new Youth Employment Service Programme and monies will also be made available to HIV/AIDS sufferers.

According to the Dominican leader, some of the money from the PRC will be also used to fund the projects and commitments that were programmed for funding by the Republic of China. These include Rehabilitation of Community Roads, financial assistance to Social Service Providers including CALLS, Reach and Home for the Aged, and a Community Centre for Castle Bruce, among other projects.

The Dominica Leader told reporters that this US$6 million from China is testimony of the seriousness and commitment of the Government of the People’s Republic of China to Dominica. Mr Skerrit added, “Many persons who have been questioning the relationship, whether the Chinese Government will fulfill its commitment to Dominica, we are seeing a tangible demonstration of the Chinese Government’s seriousness.”

Meanwhile, a four-man delegation from the People’s Republic of China is presently on island holding discussions with officials from the Government of Dominica.

The team arrived in Dominica on Easter Sunday and visited the sites of the projects the Government of China has given the commitment to undertake.

According to Wang Chengan, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Commerce, People’s Republic of China, the purpose the visit to Dominica is to get a preliminary concept of the projects the two Governments have agreed to.

A technical team of 8-9 persons will visit Dominica towards the end of April, 2004 for about a month. The team will include architectural and structural surveyors among other technical persons.

Prime Minister Skerrit told the Chinese delegation that while work gets underway on the new Windsor Park Sporting, Cultural and Recreational Stadium, preliminary work should commence simultaneously on the Roseau to Portsmouth Highway. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of good transport infrastructure for the economic development of Dominica.

The Chinese delegation is expected to leave Dominica Wednesday, April 14th 2004.

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