KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent – The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) is providing loans totaling US$16 million loan to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the construction of a primary care center in the South Rivers and a cultural center of arts.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, right, and Chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), Ahmed Al Khateeb at Argyle International AirportSFD chairman, Ahmed Al Khateeb signed the two loan agreements with Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves and witnessed by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.
The loans are part of the efforts being undertaken by Saudi Arabia, through the SFD to support sustainable development in developing countries and small island developing states (SIDS) around the world.
Since its establishment in 1974, SFD has implemented more than 700 development projects and programs in 85 countries worldwide and the signing Tuesday marked SFD’s presence in the Caribbean island.
“The agreements align closely with SFD’s goal of supporting the healthcare and social infrastructure sectors,” according to a statement issued here.
It said the first loan agreement for six million US dollars will be used for the construction of a primary care center in South Rivers, contributing to enhancing the quality of the healthcare sector, ensuring that the local population has access to healthcare services, managing chronic diseases and potentially reducing mortality rates in the region.
The project will, furthermore, create direct and indirect job opportunities, in addition to training medical staff and helping to strengthen long-term healthcare capacity and resilience, it said noting that the second loan for US$10 million is for the construction of a cultural artistic hub and market for craft and agricultural products in Belle Vue.
“The project will promote the nation’s craft, handicraft, cultural and creative industries, making important contributions towards boosting tourism and the economy, while also supporting health and wellbeing, promoting social inclusion and enhancing social capital,” the release said.
Moreover, the projects will contribute towards the realization of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3, Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Prime Minister Gonsalves told the signing ceremony that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a staunch supporter of this country and a vital leader in the Middle East.
“St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been seeking to further boost relations for some time, building on earlier relations dating back to the governance of Sir Milton Cato.”
Al Khateeb, said: “today marks an exciting and bright chapter for both of our countries, having signed the first projects in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This cooperation signifies the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to promoting sustainable socio-economic development in developing countries and SIDS, and supporting the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals”
According to the statement, the two agreements “emphasize the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting small island developing states to overcome the faced sustainable development and climate change challenges.
“The agreements, furthermore, reaffirm the importance of international cooperation and solidarity to achieve sustainable development goals and foster economic and social growth, particularly in SIDS,” the release said.
