Last Updated on November 9, 2022, 5:07 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis are on a four-day official state visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan). The Government of ROC (Taiwan) hosted a military parade on November 8, 2022, in honour of the visiting delegation. The Prime Minister delivered an address at the military parade.
First, The Prime Minister expressed that he was honoured to address the event attendants as the newly elected Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis. He also thanked the government of The Republic of China for their warm hospitality and the arrangements they put in place for “the duration of the state visit.”
The Prime Minister believes that the State Visit to Taiwan is highly significant in more than one way. According to the Prime Minister, “it strengthens the solid platform built for well over three decades, which allows us to implement projects under the broad rubric of functional cooperation.”
Further, Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew stated that the visit “places us at the threshold of a new era of enhanced partnership” In this partnership, the two nations can consider creative solutions to the challenges which threaten to prevent us from achieving our development objectives.
Dr Terrance Drew also talked about the rich legacy of technical and financial assistance, capacity building, and international advocacy exchanged between the two nations since the establishment of their bilateral relationship in 1983.
Scholarships from the Republic of China (Taiwan) helped students complete their tertiary studies in Taiwan’s educational institutions. Following their studies, many nationals have returned to St Kitts and Nevis, equipped and ready to contribute to national development.
He acknowledged that the people of St Kitts and Nevis are the authentic resources of the nation.
He stated, “While nature has blessed the other countries with rich mineral resources, our people are our resource base.
Therefore, prime Minister Drew believes that the twin-island nation must continuously work hard to build our human resource capacity.
Therefore, he expressed his gratitude to the Republic of China( Taiwan) for assisting them in achieving this objective.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude for the ROC (Taiwan)’s contribution to the various sectors of the economy of St Kitts and Nevis. Agriculture, Health, Public Infrastructure, ICT and environment conservation.
Further, in his address at the Military Parade, Dr Terrance Drew, on behalf of the leaders and the nation he governs, committed to using their influence to promote the shared values between the two countries.
Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew acknowledges that “Taiwan has assisted us in achieving sustainable development in all dimensions.”
Therefore, the leaders of St Kitts and Nevis firmly believe that Taiwan has a role to play in sustaining a vibrant global economy through the manufacturing and exporting of quality goods and services.
Further, Prime Minister Dr Drew Believes that the nation can contribute to the global effort to find solutions to pandemics, climate change adaptation and mitigation endeavours, disaster preparedness, food and livelihood security, and rapid urbanization.
Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew reiterated his promise to sustain and strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two nations.
The Prime Minister further stated that he and his delegation was keen on meeting government and civil society stakeholders to cooperate in bringing people together to promote their advancement.
Finally, Prime Minister Drew discussed the 40th year of Independence in St Kitts and Nevis in September 2023. The milestone also coincides with forty years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Prime Minister believes that this milestone is worth celebrating. He expressed certainty that the nations will find time in their calendars to discuss tangible ways to demonstrate our strong partnership during our period of celebration
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
