Taiwan and Saint Vincent talk development projects

Taiwan is in talks with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines about funding a national development bank and several social projects in the Caribbean nation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

“I would note that these projects remain under active discussion. Nothing has been finalized yet,” ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) said during a weekly briefing.

Both sides are engaging in in-depth discussions on the issues, Hsiao said, adding that Taiwan would continue to work closely with the government of its Caribbean ally to help implement policy priorities within Taiwan’s capabilities.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Godwin Friday delivers a speech during a reception in Taipei celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Aug. 12.

Photo: CNA

Hsiao made the remarks when asked to comment on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Godwin Friday’s remarks last week during his visit to Taipei that Taiwan had pledged at least US$2 million in grant funding to help establish a national development bank.

Taiwan promised to provide US$1 million annually in grant funding for social and community empowerment programs, Friday said during a news conference on Tuesday last week.

The prime minister said his visit to Taiwan had produced a range of opportunities for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

“This trip gave us a lot of possibilities. Some of them will bear fruit more quickly than others, but we are moving toward that,” he was quoted as saying by Vincentian media.

Friday’s visit to Taiwan was his first trip to Taipei since taking office late last year, to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the two nations’ diplomatic ties.