Grenada Today - The National Newspaper of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique

The Peoples' Republic of China (PRC) and Grenada have signed several cooperation agreements that would particularly make way for the future enhancement of friendly relations between the two countries.

The agreements were signed on the morning of 24th March 2005, concluding the first Economic and Technical Cooperation Forum by both sides.

Attended by Government delegates and Trade and Investment officials, the forum successfully determined Grenada's immediate needs in the wake of post-Ivan reconstruction efforts.

It has been designed as a follow up to re-establishment of relations and the recently-held China/Caribbean Economic and Trade Forum, which was held in Jamaica.

Agreements signed focused on the reconstruction of the National Stadium, resuscitation of the agriculture sector, a 2.5 million US-dollar grant for post-Ivan projects including housing, full scholarships for ten students to attend Universities in the PRC and a handover certificate of six million dollars, earmarked for budgetary support.

With tourism travel high on the agenda, the Chinese Vice Minister for Commerce, Liao Xiaoqi announced that Grenada is one of eleven destinations in the Caribbean which stands to benefit from the movement of tourists out of Mainland China.

Among other areas that will be dealt with are improvements to the health sector, small and medium-sized business development and infrastructural works.

In relation to Educational support from the PRC, Grenada's Foreign Affairs Minister, Elvin Nimrod, mentioned that those who have been short-circuited with their courses of study in Taiwan will now be able to study in China.

Grenada and China normalized relations on 20th January 2005, following extensive negotiations by both sides, since December 2004.

Vice Minister Liao Xiaoqi expressed happiness that Grenada has once again recognized the People's Republic of China and the One China policy.