Vasant Bharath, acting Minister of Finance and the Economy, along with senior ministry officials, met with a visiting high-level delegation from the China EXIMBank, including Chen Xiaomin, general manager of Evaluation Department, Hou Yuhan, project manager of Concessional Loan Department, Mu Linlin, judge of Credit Approval Committee, Zhang Bin, deputy general manager of Risk Management and Zheng Qiyi, division director of Evaluation Department.
The visiting delegation was led by Huang Xinyuan, ambassador of the People's Republic of China to T&T; accompanied by Ying Lui and Zhitao Guo of the Chinese Embassy.The primary purpose was to discuss current projects funded by the Government of the People's Republic of China. Xiamin said: "We come to your beautiful country to learn more about the country, to conduct on-site inspection on the various projects funded by us; and to learn more about future co-operation."
She said the visiting team was "quite impressed" by two projects in particular, the Couva Children's Hospital and the Sports Facility, adding: "We are quite satisfied with the implementation of the current projects and are committed to future co-operation with your country."
Bharath told the delegation Government is "focused on people-centred development throughout the country" and has engaged in a programme of developmental works which "allows us to open up new economic spaces" for the benefit of all our citizens. He thanked the ambassador and representatives of the China EXIMBank for its confidence in the people of T&T and for their ongoing support of the country's economic development.
The ministry team included Vishnu Dhanpaul, permanent secretary, Ministry of Finance and the Economy, Edwina Leacock, chief technical advisor, Ministry of Trade, Adrian Thomas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yolande Agard-Simmons, manager, Communications and Events, Ministry of Trade, Irfan Hosein, policy development specialist, Ministry of Trade; Shivanna Sawh, senior corporate communications officer; and Naveena Rampersad, personal assistant to the minister.