by Linda Straker
- EC$38.4 million in aid will fund Cricket Stadium renovation and other projects
- Over 1,800 Grenadians have attended training courses in China
- Chinese government has implemented several China-Aid framework projects
China is to provide EC$38.4 million in aid to the Government Grenada which will see the funding used for the Cricket Stadium renovation and other projects.
On 9 December, Dr Zhao Yongchen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Grenada, and Hon. Peter David, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour of Grenada, signed the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Grenada.
According to the agreement, the Chinese government will provide a grant fund of 100 million Chinese RMB yuan (EC$38.4 million) to the Grenadian government to implement the Cricket Stadium Renovation Project and other projects.
Ambassador Zhao Yongchen said that under China-Aid framework, the Chinese government has implemented many projects for Grenada such as Low-Income Housing Project, Rebuilding of Grenada National Cricket Stadium and Athletic Stadium, and Technical Cooperation on Agriculture.
A statement from the Chinese Embassy in Grenada said that since 2005 more than 200 Grenadian students have studied in China sponsored by the Chinese government and over 1,800 Grenadians have attended seminars or short-term training courses in China.
The Chinese hospital ship Peace Ark visited Grenada twice, providing free medical service to the Grenadian people. The Chinese government also donated police vehicles and medical equipment to the Grenadian government.
“All these projects are funded by the Chinese government grant assistance. He hopes the signing of the agreement will further enhance the bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative and promote the social and economic development of Grenada,” the statement said.
Minister David, on behalf of the Grenadian government, expressed his sincere appreciation to the Chinese government and people for the generous assistance. He acknowledged the support from the Chinese government to Grenada in infrastructure, education, sports and many other areas and said that Grenada is willing to deepen the cooperation with China under the Belt and Road initiative.
I note that in the article it states that China had already funded the building of the cricket stadium. This being the case then why does it need refurbishing? What Grenadians need to ask is, is this ‘tied aid’. What does Grenada have to agree to to get those funds? We have to insist on Grenadian workers being used and not just the chronies of the government. Additionally there must be demonstrable skill transfer. Aid can work but it’s got to be transparent and give opportunities to all fairly and not just e of benefit to a few chronies. Grenada must stop importing all these cheap plastic imports from China and I noticed garlic in the shops imported from China. We don’t need this when our fertile lands can grow enough garlic to serve the population and export. As I said we must hold the Government accountable by looking at the data and evidence and if they do not do a good job kick them out.
Hope the people of the Grenada government can eat cricket and have long term benefits from it. Should this funds go into roads and Agricultural
My sentiments exactly. Why are people wearing blinders? These politicians are making decisions that work against their citizens. A stadium? How many Grenadians will be working on these projects? When the ports, highway and (if not already happening) the airport, who will be in charge of the island’s immigration and customs?
The island has had its fair share of problems and the resilience of the people has always prevailed
Being Grenadian has given me the strength to be true to myself, and I choose to believe the Grenadian Spirit still exists that would not allow the country to be sold, and, where Grenadians are foreigners in their own land. Stop selling the land! Be careful of imported food and products… Pay attention to what’s happening in Africa
My sentiments exactly. Why are people wearing blinders? These politicians are making decisions that work against their citizens. A stadium? How many Grenadians will be working on these projects? When the ports, highway and (if not already happening) the airport, who will be in charge of the island’s immigration and customs?
The island has had it fair share of problems and the resilience of my people
Being Grenadian has given me the strength to be true to myself and the resilience of a people is one of the traits I took with me.
I choose to believe the Grenadian Spirit still exists that would not allow the country to be sold and Grenadians are foreigners in their own land. Stop selling the land.
Oh Lord help us, yet another Caribbean gem shortly to be own by the Chinese!
I’m St Lucian and I cannot understand why our politicians are selling us out so willingly to the Chinese…who by the way do not like black people!!
I won’t be around long enough to see the impact of this so call take-over under the guise of ‘help’ but I truly fear for our future generations who I’m sure will be enslaved by the Chinese in due time!
So sad!
LORD JESUS RESCUE AND DELIVER GRENADA FROM THE SCHEMES AND WICKED PLOTS OF ITS ENEMIES. HELP OUR PEOPLE LORD.
IN JESUS’S NAME WE PRAY! AMEN.
Those Chinese are taking over in every country that they set foot on. Is this a sign of world dominating. A sign of things to come? Who ever heard of a Caribbean store being run by Asians . Our school system here is inundated by Asians. This is not good for Grenada.
A Communist country is a Communist country. Nothing good could come from all these agreements and so called gifts from all these foreign countries. The government is setting up the people of our beautiful island for awful times ahead. There is no such thing as a free gift. Mr. Prime Minister, think before you act.
When will we learn. The very same people that the Grenadians have entrusted to make smart decisions for the country will betray them. It is really sad look at what is happening in Jamaica, what has happened in Africa I don’t think we can be so blind and dumb.Wake up my fellow Grenadians the writing is on the wall all that glitters is not gold. Wait until the Chinese are finished plundering Grenada for all that it has to offer them. They need to take care of their own before they take care of others. GREED!GREED! That’s all it is.
All the previous comments are on point. The Chinese have a huge part of their own population under lock down. The people in Hong Kong have been protesting because they don’t want the Chinese influence there. But u know the Grenz govt..some of them.. looking for their cut.