Ambassador Peter Sha-Li LAN of the Republic of China (Taiwan) handed over 150 sets of Tablets to the government of SVG on 25 February, 2022. Hon. Montgomery Daniel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transportation and Works of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Hon. Minister Curtis King who has just assumed the Chairship of the OECS Education Ministers’ meeting, were at the ceremony on behalf of the Government of SVG.
Amb. Lan praised the joint effort of SVG Ambassador to Taiwan, H.E. Andrea Bowman, and the Taiwan SHEICO company who sponsored the donation, in response to both the Covid-19 pandemic and the La Soufriere volcanic eruptions. This donation is particularly meaningful because it is in accordance with the policy direction set by OECS Education Ministers’ meeting, and is also essential to Vincentian students who had difficulty accessing online learning resources.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Montgomery Daniel express sincere gratitude to the friendship from Taiwan, and point out that the donation from SHEICO company shows that Taiwanese people stand with the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines when facing natural disasters. Minister explained that the 150 Tablets will equip those students whose online studies are in great need. Deputy Prime Minister Montgomery also expressed the sincerest appreciation to the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan)’s assistance on this matter.
Minister King express his gratitude to Taiwan SHEICO company, also appreciated the continuous support from Taiwan government on education field to SVG, including the Bursary scholarship granting to primary and secondary school students which allow them to purchase some school materials. Taiwan also provides Scholarship for Vincentian young generation to pursuit higher education so they can contribute to the development of the country, therefore minister King called for qualified Vincentians to apply for the Taiwan Scholarship before the end of March this year.
Taiwan and the SVG have established diplomatic relations for over 40 years, during which more than 200 Vincentian Taiwan scholarship recipients have travelled and studied in Taiwan, and more than 11,000 local students from disadvantaged families were awarded with Bursary scholarship. Furthermore, Taiwan Government also carried out many projects to improve local school’s infrastructure and maintenance and so on. (E)