The Government of Japan and the Government of Saint Lucia signed a USD $1 million grant agreement that will provide assistance to Saint Lucia in the procurement of industrial equipment and material.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Saint Lucia, His Excellency, Yoshimasa Tezuka, proposed the grant with the view to strengthen friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and Saint Lucia. He said the agreement is mutually beneficial as both countries will derive economic benefits.
“In Saint Lucia, the grant will be used to import industrial material procured through tenders for post-trough restoration works, while in Japan, the industrial materials will be manufactured by companies which suffered significant damage in the March 2011 earthquake, consequently contributing to the restoration of the Japanese economy,” Ambassador Tezuka said.
The Ambassador added that his government remains committed to Saint Lucia’s development.
Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony said that he was pleased that Japan contributed to Saint Lucia's efforts to raise much needed funds.
“As you are aware, Saint Lucia is facing difficult financial times,” Dr. Anthony said. “Your true friends are those who come forward in times of crisis. We thank you really for being such a consistent and a wonderful friend. Japan has always treated our relations with deep respect and with mutuality. In their own way they are an island nation, and therefore, they understand our peculiarities as a small island state.”
Dr. Anthony also reflected on Japan's past contributions to Saint Lucia.
“Japan has contributed greatly to the development of our fishing industry, through the construction of Fishing Ports in many communities, including my own constituency, Vieux-Fort South. I am grateful for yet another cooperation agreement, and I am particularly pleased with the flexibility this one provides. Saint Lucia has been given the latitude to determine its needs and to activate the fund for these purposes."
The Prime Minister thanked the Ambassador on behalf of the Government and people of Saint Lucia and said he looks forward to more mutually beneficial endeavors in the near future.
The signing ceremony was held on Tuesday, June 17, at the Official Residence of the Prime Minister, Vigie.