$32 Million Coastal Fisheries Project Signed Between St. Lucia & Japan

Contact: John Emmanuel

Friday, July 27, 2001 – St. Lucia’s fisheries sector has come in for further assistance from the government of Japan. The latest aid is coming via a multi-million dollar grant agreement, signed between St. Lucia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Senator Julian Hunte and outgoing Ambassador of Japan His Excellency Yoshio Yamagishi.

The Coastal Fisheries Development project aims to rehabilitate and improve fisheries facilities in St. Lucia, particularly in Choiseul and Soufriere, two of the major fish landing bases on the island.

In the words of Ambassador Yamagishi, “On completion of this project, facilities such as landing base, workshop, ice making and holding facilities, a market for the sale of fish, washrooms and meeting rooms will be added to existing facilities in these two sites. Moreover in the case of Choiseul a breakwater for safety of vessels with roads leading to the facilities will also be constructed and fishing vessels will be provided.”

At a time when aid from Japan to developing countries like St. Lucia is being called into question, Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Hunte has called for even greater diversification in Japanese aid to the country. He says diversification in terms of development assistance in information technology, human resource development, health services and water management, would be welcomed.

“Our two governments understand that physical infrastructure and human resource development need to complement each other in the development process. The Coastal Fisheries Development project will constitute a vital component of the improvement of fisheries infrastructure in the town of Soufriere and the village of Choiseul, where fishing is a major source of employment and income for our people,” said Senator Hunte. 

The total cost of the project is $32 million.

-ends-

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Search for 2001 Press Releases ] [Site Help]

© 2001 Government Information Service. All rights reserved.

Read our privacy guidelines.