Last Updated on February 25, 2020, 5:22 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Antigua & Barbuda’s communities may benefit from millions of dollars in forms of grants or loans through the Government of India.
India’s High Commissioner to the Antigua & Barbuda Dr K J Srinivasa said that India is waiting for proposals from the government officials on how to utilize a US $1 million grant intended for the community development projects and he hopes to receive the grant at the earliest.
He further explained that these projects are defined as quick impact community development projects, and the communities will benefit from them immediately. It could be building of schools, improving the sports facilities, building hospitals or gender balance improvement or anything of that sort.
The Indian diplomat said that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, announced the grant for the first time in last September at the first ever India – Caricom Summit. The summit was held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Indian diplomat, visited the island last week and during his visit, made courtesy calls to several government ministers.
On the other hand, the Indian Government has also pledged the US $10 million as credit for boosting the implementation of renewable energy programmes under the Climate Change Prevention Programme, including solar energy.
Dr Srinivasa further added that efforts are being made to lower the effects of climate change and that we try to lighten the impact of the impending environmental disasters which are expected to happen.
The diplomat also said that there are several advancements that India has made and the officials in Antigua & Barbuda could learn from them.
Dr Srinivasa further added that the South Asian country of India is also willing to help build the technical capacity Caricom including Antigua and Barbuda.
He mentioned that Indians are willing to share their expertise by sending experts in any field on a residential basis for stay.
A stay for about, two to five years, and would help in building the technical expertise in these areas in Antigua & Barbuda.
The Caricom has already requested a specialist in the area of fisheries and has initiated progress to this end.
For this, India will provide a fisheries research specialist who will be based in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The expert would assist in improving and increasing the efficiency of fishing practices, data collection and also would help in improving the technology used in the subregion for about almost three years.
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.
