China grants Suriname US$2.5 million for technical assistance
by Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan@caribbeannetnews.com
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Suriname has received a US$2.5 million (20 million yuan) grant from China. The documents were signed here on Monday by Chinese ambassador to Suriname Chen Jinghua and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lygia Kraag-Keteldijk.
The minister noted that no specific programs are designated yet where to use the funds. “The grant is for technical assistance and with the experts of the various ministries we will determine how to spend these funds,” said the minister.
At the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Kraag-Keteldijk expressed “sincere gratitude for the grant”. The grant fits within the framework of the economic and technical cooperation between Suriname and China, she said. Since Suriname’s independence in 1975, the two countries have enjoyed friendly and warm bilateral relations.
With this grant, China has once again demonstrated within the framework of south-south cooperation its support towards development in Suriname. China is one of Suriname’s important partners in the Asian region, the foreign affairs minister further noted.
To Ambassador Chen Jinghua, the signing ceremony marks “another step” in the relations between Suriname and China. It also marks the first major step the Chinese government has made towards the new Suriname government, which came into office after the general elections of May 2005 this year. “This shows China is sincere in helping our friends in this part of the world,” said the diplomat. He further noted that the cooperation is to the benefit of both countries.
According to Minister Kraag-Keteldijk the past few years “have been full of encouraging developments”. Chinese company Dalian was contracted by the Wijdenbosch-government for a road improvement project in the late 90s, which contract was extended by the Venetiaan-government that came into power in 2000.
Currently, with a grant (US$5 million) from the Chinese government, Chinese contractors are building a new headquarters for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital Paramaribo. Construction will finish in the first quarter of 2006.
Recently both countries have signed an agreement for a low-cost housing project in Suriname.
Although Suriname doesn’t give financial assistance to China, in the international political arena this CARICOM nation gives tremendous support to Beijing. Suriname on various occasions has supported the candidacy of Chinese nominees for international institutions, organizations and other bodies. The diplomat also mentioned Suriname’s support for Beijing’s ‘one-China policy’.
Ambassador Chen Jinghua further expressed that his country will continue “to make efforts in further developments of the bilateral relations”.
Copyright © 2003-2005 Caribbean Net News
by Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan@caribbeannetnews.com
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Suriname has received a US$2.5 million (20 million yuan) grant from China. The documents were signed here on Monday by Chinese ambassador to Suriname Chen Jinghua and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lygia Kraag-Keteldijk.
The minister noted that no specific programs are designated yet where to use the funds. “The grant is for technical assistance and with the experts of the various ministries we will determine how to spend these funds,” said the minister.
At the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Kraag-Keteldijk expressed “sincere gratitude for the grant”. The grant fits within the framework of the economic and technical cooperation between Suriname and China, she said. Since Suriname’s independence in 1975, the two countries have enjoyed friendly and warm bilateral relations.
With this grant, China has once again demonstrated within the framework of south-south cooperation its support towards development in Suriname. China is one of Suriname’s important partners in the Asian region, the foreign affairs minister further noted.
To Ambassador Chen Jinghua, the signing ceremony marks “another step” in the relations between Suriname and China. It also marks the first major step the Chinese government has made towards the new Suriname government, which came into office after the general elections of May 2005 this year. “This shows China is sincere in helping our friends in this part of the world,” said the diplomat. He further noted that the cooperation is to the benefit of both countries.
According to Minister Kraag-Keteldijk the past few years “have been full of encouraging developments”. Chinese company Dalian was contracted by the Wijdenbosch-government for a road improvement project in the late 90s, which contract was extended by the Venetiaan-government that came into power in 2000.
Currently, with a grant (US$5 million) from the Chinese government, Chinese contractors are building a new headquarters for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital Paramaribo. Construction will finish in the first quarter of 2006.
Recently both countries have signed an agreement for a low-cost housing project in Suriname.
Although Suriname doesn’t give financial assistance to China, in the international political arena this CARICOM nation gives tremendous support to Beijing. Suriname on various occasions has supported the candidacy of Chinese nominees for international institutions, organizations and other bodies. The diplomat also mentioned Suriname’s support for Beijing’s ‘one-China policy’.
Ambassador Chen Jinghua further expressed that his country will continue “to make efforts in further developments of the bilateral relations”.
Copyright © 2003-2005 Caribbean Net News
