Kingstown St. Vincent May 12,2026-Social commentator Steven Joachim has called for Taiwan to provide greater economic support to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, arguing that SVG, should be receiving more tangible benefits from a diplomatic partnership that has lasted more than four decades.
Speaking during a radio discussion on WEFM’s Voices program, alongside other panellists examining the relationship between Kingstown and Taipei, Joachim said the country should seek substantial debt relief, expanded investment and increased assistance in agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructure.
“A whole pile of debt should be written off,” Joachim said, while also calling for existing debt to Taiwan to be restructured over several decades at low interest rates.
He made the remarks shortly after Taiwan announced plans to spend billions of dollars on arms purchases from the United States, arguing that Taiwan should also increase development-focused support for long-standing allies such as St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Joachim suggested that Taiwan take majority ownership and investment responsibility for projects such as the long-discussed Ottley Hall Marina development, which has faced repeated financial and operational challenges over the years.
He also urged Taipei to expand its involvement in agriculture, vocational training and manufacturing support.
“We need investment. We need help in agriculture,” he said, adding that the government has identified agriculture as one of the country’s main pillars for economic growth.
Joachim argued that St Vincent and the Grenadines also requires assistance to lower electricity and manufacturing costs through greater investment in renewable energy projects, including solar power.
He further pointed to ongoing concerns surrounding water infrastructure and questioned how the state-owned Central Water and Sewerage Authority would finance future expansion projects needed to support investment and development, particularly on the Leeward side of the island.
“We’ve got a lot of stuff to talk about when it comes to the economy,” he said.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Taiwan established diplomatic relations in 1981 and have maintained close ties ever since. The relationship has included cooperation in agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and technical assistance.
Taiwan remains one of only a small number of countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with St Vincent and the Grenadines, as Beijing continues to pressure nations to shift recognition to mainland China under its “One China” policy.
Over the years, Taiwan has supported several projects including post-disaster reconstruction efforts following the 2021 eruption of La Soufrière volcano in St Vincent.
The diplomatic relationship has also carried geopolitical significance, with successive Vincentian administrations publicly supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organisations, including the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
Despite describing Taiwan as an important ally, Joachim argued that the relationship should now evolve beyond symbolic diplomacy into what he described as more meaningful economic transformation for ordinary Vincentians.