Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit on behalf of the Government of Dominica on Friday July 12th 2013, penned his signature to two financial agreements with the People’s Republic of China which will go towards community based projects and the construction of the new Princess Margaret Hospital.
The agreements amounting to over $18 million come on the heels of a promise made by Chinese President XI Jing Ping when he met with Prime Minister Skerrit and other Caribbean Leaders in Trinidad in June of this year.
The signing ceremony took place at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Financial Centre in Roseau.
“The first agreement is for $50 Million RMB, as grant aid from the Government of the People’s Republic of China coming out of our meeting with the President of China in Trinidad who offered this assistance to the Government and people of Dominica. This sum will be used largely to assist in addressing some community based projects in various parts of the country” said PM Skerrit.
In continuing the Prime Minister explained that the second agreement has to do with plans for the construction of the new Princess Margaret Hospital.
“There is a delegation which will visit Dominica in the next few days that will put forward the designs for the new Princess Margaret Hospital. This assistance will no doubt trigger that process” PM Skerrit said.
Prime Minister Skerrit in his remarks expressed gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for their continued friendship and commitment to the development of Dominica and its people.
“This assistance is being granted to us by China at a very difficult time for all of us in the world including China, but because of the extra ordinary friendship between the two countries. China continues to be a very dear and sincere friend to the Government and people of Dominica and we are indeed very grateful for this” remarked PM Skerrit.
Charge D’affaires of the People’s Republic of China, Qui Wei Wei signed on behalf of the Chinese Government.
The Chinese official said F riday’s signing of agreements is testimony of the growing cooperation existing between Dominica and China.
“This agreement is another step in the cooperation between our two countries. We are very glad to see that this aid will be put into programmes which will benefit the local people. The Chinese government will continue to provide this type of aid to Dominica and we will continue to work together with your Government”.
The Government of Dominica and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations on March 31st, 2004.