by Linda Straker
- Chinese government to provide Grenada with EC$40 million for mutually agreed-upon projects
- Grenada will have to present a plan showing how money will be utilised
- Other agreements signed cover agriculture, energy and the environment, renewable energy, arts, culture and tourism, and the blue economy
The Chinese government has agreed to provide Grenada with gratuitous aid of 100 million yuan for mutually agreed-upon projects. This financial support was signed in an agreement for economic and technical cooperation during the recent official visit to China by Grenada’s Prime Minister, 2 other ministers of government and several supporting staff.
Though the agreement was signed on 13 January 2025, it was disclosed during a special news conference on 23 January which featured China’s Ambassador to Grenada Wei Hongtian. “This 100 million Chinese yuan is equivalent to US$13.7 million,” said Ambassador Wei as he reiterated that this visit to China was an official visit by the Government of Grenada in observance of the 20th anniversary of both states resuming diplomatic ties. “The aid shall be used for implementation of mutually agreed projects,” he said.
Since resuming diplomatic relations, China has provided Grenada with millions in grants for capital and social projects. These include building the athletic and cricket stadia, road repairs, university scholarships, and training for hundreds of young professionals.
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell who headed the delegation was the first Head of Government to visit China in 2025. He was accompanied by Ministers Lennox Andrews and Joseph Andall who hold ministerial posts of Economic Development and Foreign Affairs, respectively.
The projects that that agreement will cover are yet to be disclosed. “Both sides will set up an apparatus to decide how and when the grant will be distributed,” said Minister Andall who pointed out that Grenada will have to present a plan showing how the money will be utilised. The financial aid from China is equivalent to EC$40 million. “This is a significant sum which can go a long way in aiding in the development of Grenada,” said Andall.
Andrews who is also the Minister for Agriculture, said an agreement was also signed about a study in the area of agriculture. “For the past years we have had an MOU in which China will provide agricultural assistance to the Government and people of Grenada, we are now completing the 8th agreement and we are about to sign the 9th agreement,” he said. “Once that 9th agreement is signed we are going to implement it,” he added.
Besides the agreement for financial aid, Grenada signed other documents which were either memoranda of understanding or memoranda of agreements, covering a wide range of areas, including agriculture, energy and the environment, renewable energy, arts, culture and tourism, and the blue economy.
It is gratifying to hear that China is will to help financially with development projects in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique ; especially in lthe aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. I am , however, saddened that the government was unable to present detailed plans to present to the Chinese government for their approval. I can think of coastal erosion using used tyres as barriers to rough seas and sea level rise due to climate change; proper road surfacing and drainage; and so on. Let’s hope that action follows soon.