China aid for Barbados

BRIDGETOWN—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. 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 co-operation, 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.