2 Feb 2005

Tuvalu receives million dollar grant from Taiwan

8:19 pm on 2 February 2005

Taiwan has handed over 1-POINT-65 million US Dollars to the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Maatia Toafa.

The Pacnews Agency reports the funds were part of Taiwan's annual aid to Tuvalu, which has diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The Taiwanese donation was presented by its representative in Funafuti, Doctor Feng Tai.

Prime Minister Toafa says the funds symbolise continuing good relations between the two countries.

The second half of the annual grant will be paid to the Tuvalu Government in August.

The increase of the grant from 2 million dollars to 3.5 million was a result of bilateral talks between the two governments in July 2004 when the Taiwanese deputy foreign affairs minister visited Tuvalu