On June 5, a handover ceremony of agricultural machineries donated by the Chinese government to the Grenadian government was held at China-Aid Agricultural Demonstration Center in La Sagesse, St. David. H.E. Dr. Zhao Yongchen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Grenada handed over a batch of agricultural machineries to Honourable Yolande Bain-Horsford, Minister for Agriculture and Lands of Grenada at the ceremony. With the total value of 1.2 million EC dollars, the donation includes agricultural machineries such as wheeled tractors, trucks, rotory tillers, along with other equipment and fertilizers. The donation is under the framework of China-Aid Agricultural Technical Cooperation Project Phase 7.
In his remarks, Ambassador Zhao Yongchen said that under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with President Xi Jinping as the core, the Chinese people made arduous efforts not only to win the domestic anti-epidemic battle, but also to make indelible contributions to save human life through international anti-epidemic cooperation. The Chinese government and People donated multiple batches of medical supplies to Grenada. Three video conferences between China and Grenada were held to share anti-epidemic experience. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, Grenada has made remarkable achievements in COVID-19 prevention and control with the assistance from China and the international community. Currently, reopening economy, promoting employment and safeguarding people’s livelihood has become top priorities for the Grenadian government. Agriculture is one of the pillar sectors in local economy, as well as the focal area of the bilateral cooperation. He believes that the machineries will help Grenada to resume agricultural production and improve farmers’ livelihood. China is willing to deepen the bilateral cooperation in various fields under the framework of “Belt and Road” initiative, boost the economic and social development of Grenada, and strengthen the friendship between China and Grenada.
Hon. Minister Yolande Bain-Horsford expressed her high gratitude to the Chinese government and people for the timely assistance to Grenada during the epidemic. She said that the China-Aid Agricultural Technical Cooperation Project has been carried out for 15 years and made sound contribution to Grenada agriculture sector. Recently, the Grenadian government adopted a stimulus package to help farmers resume production and ensure food and nutrition security of Grenada. These much needed machineries donated by the Chinese side will help the agriculture sector recover from the impact of COVID-19. She spoke highly of the agriculture experts from China and expressed commitment to deepen the bilateral cooperation in agriculture.
