BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Sept 11, CMC – Barbados has praised China for its continued support for the socio-economic development of the island as the two countries signed a multi-million dollar agreement on Wednesday.
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Maxine McClean said China had proven to be a reliable partner for Barbados and pointed to the funding of numerous development projects, including the construction and refurbishment of some of the country’s most visible landmarks.
The two countries signed an economic technical agreement and three banking agreements on Accounting Procedures with a total value of BDS$16 million (One BDS dollar = US$0.50 cents).
McClean cited the Elsie Payne Complex, headquarters of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex and the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre as examples of China’s support for the development of the island.
“Barbados and the People’s Republic of China on May 30, 2013, marked 36 years of diplomatic relations; a period during which the two countries have built a solid relationship based on respect and cooperation, in an effort to advance mutual understanding between our peoples.”
She said the government had made considerable progress in the utilisation of the grant funds provided by China and that 11 projects in areas such as agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructural development, had been submitted to China for consideration.
The Government of Barbados is looking forward to being informed about which projects are selected in the first instance, and for the on-going execution of bilateral projects with China,” McClean said.
Chinese Ambassador, Xu Hong, said since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1977, 21 government agreements on economic and technical cooperation had been signed.
“With the grants and interest free loans provided by the Chinese government, 17 projects have been implemented; including turn-key projects, supply of materials, cash donation and consultancy projects.
“Such cooperation has made contributions to the social and economic progress and improvements of the people’s livelihood in Barbados. You can see today that (Barbadians) are still enjoying the benefits of these projects,” the diplomat said.
Ambassador Xu pledged to continue working with Barbados to promote new areas of cooperation to “bring more benefits to the people of Barbados, which in return, will further develop the bilateral relationship”.
Barbados and China established diplomatic relations on May 30, 1977.
