A&B First In OECS To Sign Chinese Initiative

Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the People’s Republic of China on bilateral cooperation on the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative.
This is a foreign policy initiative of the Chinese government, to invest in the infrastructural development of many nations. With over 80 countries globally including Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda now becomes one of the first countries in the OECS to formally sign on to the initiative.
The government’s Chief of Staff, Lionel ‘Max’ Hurst, said that this signing is another step in strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries.
“We have established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China for over 35 years,” Hurst said. “This [relationship] has resulted in a number of very useful projects being financed.”
Hurst added that the initiative expands the ability of the government to finance government projects. He pointed to the V.C. Bird International Airport and the ongoing Deep Water Harbour port improvement project as examples of projects China has helped finance recently.
According to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister, the MOU aims to promote the exchange of goods, technology, capital and personnel through mutual connectivity.
(More in today’s Daily Observer)