Embassy of India
Paramaribo

PRESS RELEASE

Handing over of Phase-I of Arrowroot industry modernization project funded by India under India-UNDP partnership Fund in St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG)- Plaque Unveiling ceremony - 9 April 2024.

The Government of St. Vincent & the Grenadines organized a ceremony to mark the completion of phase-I of the Arrowroot industry modernization project funded by India to the extent of USD 1.34 million under India-UNDP parternship Fund. The project began in 2019 but met with challenges due to the Soufriere volcano eruption in the Island on 9 April 2021. The original cost of the project was USD 1,034, 226 million but a further USD 300,000 enhanced allocation was approved in view of cost and time escalation due to the Covid pandemic and the supply chain disruptions. The Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development & Information Technology and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) along with the Ministry of Agriculture of SVG were the local partners. The planned work involved setting up a foundation for a new factory with a factory shell, plumbing and electrical installations. The main goal of the project was to increase the contribution of the Arrowroot industry to the sustainable economic development of the country by strengthening resilience to climate change and improving livelihoods in vulnerable communities. The project's aim has been enhancing the livelihoods of the indigenous communities involved in the farming and processing of arrowroot with a special focus on creating job opportunities for women.

Dr. The Hon'ble Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Dr. Shankar Balachandran, Ambassador of India to Suriname and concurrently accredited as the non-resident High Commissioner of India to SVG, unveiled on 9 April 2024 a plaque in English and Hindi, commemorating the completion of the first phase of the Arrowroot modernization project at Orange Hills, SVG.

The handing over ceremony took place at the factory site with Hon'ble Prime Minister Dr the Hon Ralph Gonsalves, High Commissioner Dr.Shankar Balachandran, Ministers Saboto Caesar and Montgomery Daniel, UNIDO Representative Mr. Raymond Victory, Arrowroot Industry Manager Mr.Selmon Walters addressing the gathering and Permanent Secretary of Agriculture Ms. Nerissa serving as the Chairperson. The speakers thanked India for her contribution to the project very important for local consumption, exports and sustainable development. The Hon'ble Prime Minister recalled the day three years ago when the volcanic eruption left a trail of destruction and said this day was a day of hope and renewal and a sign that the SVG had put behind the past and was looking forward to a bright future. It was a realization of the joint vision of his brother Prime Minister Modi and his that a place destroyed by the volcano had seen a factory structure coming up. The High Commissioner congratulated the government of SVG and UNIDO for completion of the project. He highlighted that the project reflected India's commitment to South-South cooperation and added that India's support for developing nations was guided by the philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family) and is based on inclusive growth. He expressed confidence that the new facilities and skills acquired would propel the arrowroot industry and contribute to the nation's economic growth and the well-being of its people.

Among the guests were senior civil servants, stakeholders, farmers and members of the Indian community.

Representative photos are attached.

Kingstown
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
10 April 2024