26 Jan 2007

Chinese government gives major cash injection to Forum

6:54 pm on 26 January 2007

The Chinese government has given four hundred thousand US dollars to the Pacific Islands forum to assist with various projects in the region.

The secretary general of the Forum, Greg Urwin, says the grant will go towards the development of information and communications technology, as well as air and sea transport services within the region.

Mr Urwin says it falls under the China-Forum Cooperation Fund set up in 1999 to promote bilateral trade, investment, tourism, personnel exchange and training.

He says it will also help establish the Pacific Islands Forum Trade Office in Beijing.

The grant, he says will go some way towards implementing the Forum Leaders' decision to develop ICT access in the region as well as address the issues of air and sea transportation between the island nations.