Taiwan dispatches first and second payments of the 2007 Rural Development Fund to Solomon Islands

Taiwan has released the first and second payments of the 2007 Constituency and Rural Development Fund.

Taiwan's Ambassador to Solomon Islands George Chan released the SBD20 million dollars at a meeting with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare last week.

The Taiwanese Embassy in Honiara says during the meeting, Mr Chan told the Prime Minister that the fund is to help Solomon Islands Rural Development. Taiwan has contributed much to this cause.

Mr Chan says the money is also the only fund which goes to the rural areas to help 84 percent of the national population in the country.

Ambassador Chan says that the Solomon Islands had sustained unprecedented national disaster on 2 April 2007, which led to many casualties.

Mr Chan extends his deepest condolences and sympathy to Mr Sogavare and to the family who lost their loved ones and the people affected by the earthquake and ensuing tsunami.

Ambassador George Chan says he believes that the timely release of the 20 million dollars would help Solomon Island recover and rehabilitate from the catastrophe as well.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare thanks the Taiwan Government for the prompt response to the Solomon Islands' need.

Source: SIBC