BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 16th 2011 (CUOPM) – The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is assisting the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA) in purchasing a Reach Stacker.
Taiwan’s Resident Ambassador, His Excellency Miguel Tsao, presenting a US$300,000 cheque to Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Sen. the Hon. Richard “Ricky” Skerritt, at his Embassy said the monetary donation fulfils a commitment made by his country and expressed confidence that the bilateral relations between will grow ever stronger, and the friendship between the two peoples ever closer.
Ambassador Tsao noted that since he took up his appointment nine months ago, he has witnessed the progress of tourism in the Federation.
“St. Kitts and Nevis has all the potential to be and is, in fact, considered one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the world. We are all proud of this achievement as we are all aware that tourism is a very important and integral part of our lives. I must therefore applaud Minister Richard Skerritt and your team for your great efforts that have brought all of this to fruition,” said the Taiwan diplomat.
He noted that in March this year, Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, led a delegation to Taiwan and reached tangible tourism related cooperation accords with his government.
“One example is a cooperation agreement on a new demonstration farm in Newton Ground. As a result, in the very near future, we shall be able to present a farm that incorporates agriculture, solar energy and tourism to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as to foreign tourists. In addition, my government made an offer to invite persons from St. Kitts and Nevis to Taiwan to participate in an intensive training programme in the field of hospitality and tourism. That initiative between our two governments will be carried out in the coming months,” said Ambassador Tsao.
In accepting the cheque, Minister Skerritt thanked the Government and People of Taiwan. He said the donation will go toward the purchase of the Reach Stacker to assist in the continued transformation of SCAPSA in the national development of St. Kitts and Nevis.
He said growth will continue to take place at both the seaport and the airport. “The arrival of visitors and the expenditure from visitors helps to drive the economy forward, helps to bring consumer activity, helps to spread income through the community and helps to drive further consumer activity which then drives imports of cargo through the ports and so there is an inextricable link between tourism and international transport both from the airlift side and the seaport side,” said the Tourism and International Transport minister,.
Mr. Skerritt said the equipment gives the balance in ensuring efficiency of delivering important cargo.
Present at the handing over ceremony were Mrs. Patricia Martin, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism; Mr. Linkon Maynard, Chairman of SCASPA; Mr. Terrance Crossman, Chief Executive Officer, SCASPA and other senior officers as well as officials of the Taiwan Embassy and the Technical Mission.
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