Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves. Photo: Kenton Chance

Dr Gonsalves secured the assistance during his most recent visit to the Asian ally.

Taipei also granted US$10 million to finance the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) Programme and the construction of additional resource centres in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Dr Gonsalves said Taipei will provide additional university scholarships to the five given annually, even as his government has solicited from Taipei technical and material assistance in agriculture and other sectors.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Taiwan this month was criticised by Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace, who said he would have postponed the trip because the opposition in Taipei was calling for the resignation of President Chen.

“The people are too distracted with their domestic political situation. President Chen and his party are fighting for their political life,” Eustace had said.

Dr Gonsalves on his return from Taipei said he could not envisage responsible persons making such comments. “It suggests to me that you are not sufficiently reflective of matters of international politics,” he said.

He added: “The Taiwan visit was extremely successful because if you get US$35 million plus the other technical assistance and equipment which we are talking about, that alone is more than worth the while in going to Taipei.”

St Vincent and the Grenadines and Taiwan will celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations in August.