Chinese offer called “golden opportunity’’ for infrastructural development

St. George’s, September 16, 2011 – Grenada’s Works and Physical Development Minister, the Hon. Joseph Gilbert, is excited about a Chinese offer of monetary assistance for regional infrastructural development.

“Grenada and other Caribbean countries now have a golden opportunity to undertake much-needed investment in developing their physical infrastructure,’’ said Hon. Gilbert, who is also the Minister of Public Utilities.

He made the comment on his return from Trinidad where he was part of Prime Minister Tillman Thomas’ joint government/private delegation that attended the Third China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Forum on September 12 and 13.

Minister Gilbert attended the second day of the forum at the invitation of his Trinidad counterpart, the Hon. Jack Warner, Minister of Works and Infrastructure. A Structural Engineer, Mr. Gilbert was specially invited to attend a seminar on “Cooperation in Finance and Infrastructure.’’

China intends to pump more than US$1 billion into the region over the next five years. The package includes a “Special Purpose Fund’’ for infrastructure development, and would be accessible to governments as well as private sector enterprises at competitive interest rates.

As a condition of the loan arrangement, the borrower would be required to contribute 30 percent of the cost of the project to be funded, Minister Gilbert explained.

“It is also a requirement that the project be viable so as to satisfy the loan repayment plan,’’ he elaborated. “I, therefore, want  to encourage our private sector, in particular, to grasp the opportunity provided under this initiative by the Chinese,  to undertake as many major infrastructure development works in  Grenada as practicable; either on their own as private enterprise, or, in partnership with government.’’

Two other special seminars were held simultaneously; one was on “Cooperation in Tourism,’’ which was attended by Grenada’s Tourism Minister, the Hon. Peter David; and another on “Cooperation in Agriculture and Fisheries,’’ which included participation from Minister Denis Lett.

Other government officials in the Prime Minister’s delegation to the China-Caribbean Forum were Foreign Affairs Minister  Karl Hood, and Minister for Finance, Nazim Burke.

Grenadian students graduate in China

BEIJING, China, June 24, 2011 -- Six Grenadian students recently earned bachelor’s degrees from four Chinese Universities after completing studies in different fields.  

The students were all recipients of scholarships under a Scholarship Agreement between the Grenada Government and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

The Embassy of Grenada hosted a dinner for the six graduating students in recognition of their accomplishments.  

Grenada’s Ambassador to China, H.E. Marcelle Gairy, Mr. Richard Nixon, Counsellor and Ms. Kisha Gellineau, First Secretary in the Grenada Embassy were all present at the event.

Ambassador Gairy congratulated the students on their hard earned success, noting that their achievements were even more special because they had successfully overcome the disadvantage of studying in a language which is widely regarded as one of the most difficult in the world.   

She also stated that in addition to their degree certificates, they would leave China with an invaluable and much envied asset – a proficiency in written and spoken Mandarin and knowledge of Chinese culture at a time when China is rising to a dominant position in world affairs. 

The Ambassador offered special congratulations to Lendon Bullen who has been awarded an “Outstanding Foreign Student” Award.  

The students were each presented with a gift of a Chinese painting in which their respective Chinese name was incorporated.
Mr. Ian Marshall, earned a B.Sc. in Logistics Management

Mr. Lendon Bullen earned a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering

Mr. Riffie Raye earned a B.Sc. in Software Engineering

Ms. Sharlene Modeste earned a B.Sc. in Business Administration

Ms. Krystel Peters earned a B.Sc. in Geology

Ms. Tricia Bethel earned a B.Sc. in Diplomacy

These six students are now are preparing to return home to make their contributions to the development of Grenada.

In 2010, Mr. Richard McQuilkin, 25, from Windward, Carriacou, became the first Grenadian student to graduate having obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Electronic Engineering.

Photo Caption:

Ambassador Gairy and First Secretary Kisha Gellineau with graduating students (L to R) Charlene Modeste, Riffie Ray and Lendon Bullen.

GRENADIAN CULTURE AND PRODUCTS TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT WORLD EXPO

By Michael Bascombe

In Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China, July 17, 2010 - The history, culture and trade and investment opportunities of Grenada will be on showcase here when the Caribbean Community Day takes centre stage at the EXPO 2010 Shanghai on Saturday.

Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, accompanied by his wife, is leading a 17-member delegation which also includes a cultural group to the World Expo at this port city.

Prime Minister Thomas will join President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Nicholas Liverpool and other Heads of Delegations from CARICOM at a flag-raising ceremony.

The Grenada delegation also includes Junior Culture Minister Senator Arley Gill, Ambassador Marcelle Gairy and Councillor Richard Nixon.

The cultural group is captained by Edson “Ajamu” Mitchell, managed by Adrian Mark of the Ministry of Culture and also includes Inspector Brian Hurst of the Royal Grenada Police Force Band and Nigel DeGale of TUMDA. A team of national dancers, singers and performers completed a rehearsal early Saturday morning the flag-raising ceremony on Saturday and two cultural performances on Sunday.

An assortment of Grenadian products including arts and crafts will also be on display in the Grenadian booth where thousands of visitors are expected to view over the next few days.

“Visitors can expect to learn the history and culture of Grenada as well as our main manufacturing and exporting products,” said Senator Gill.

“There will also be the opportunity for them (visitors) to sample many of our local products which will be on display,” he said.

The national performers spent most of Friday evening and early Saturday morning rehearsing with lead vocalist “Ajamu”. They will have one performance on Saturday and two shows on Sunday.

A wide array of local products has been assembled at the Grenada booth. They include products from Clarke’s Court, Westerhall Estate, Michelle’s Confectionery, Glenelg Natural Spring Water, Belzeb Aromatherapy Products, Noelville, De La Grenade Industries, Rainbow Products Ltd, Island Pride Products, Thompson’s Aloe Wines, Barguna Enterprises Ltd, Amba Kaila Spices, and Nero’s Natural Herbal Seasoning.

Among the artists’ works on display are Susan and Asher Mains, Gilbert Nero, Oliver Benoit and Tricia Bethel, who is a Grenadian student studying in Beijing.

Some of the students studying in China are assisting the Grenada delegation which is being coordinated by the Embassy of Grenada in Beijing.

Videos:

Senator Arley Gill http://vimeo.com/13401920

Preparations: http://vimeo.com/13402270

Rehearsal: http://vimeo.com/13401477