China (CMC):

The People's Republic of China is providing Grenada with US$6 million in the form of a grant-in-aid as agreed in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on Wednesday.

The two governments agreed to a number of measures, including the removal of visa restrictions for persons holding diplomatic and official passports issued by Grenada and assistance on the maintenance of the National Stadium in St George's.

The MOU was signed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Grenada's Prime Minister Tillman Thomas.

High value

"We have a high value on the relationship with Grenada, we believe it is important that both countries work together," Wen stated.

"Grenada is an important country in the Caribbean and we want to work together to strengthen all areas of that relationship."

The agreement on the maintenance of the stadium, which covers a one-year period, allows for seven Chinese technicians to visit Grenada during the period to repair equipment and provide the required parts.

It also covers training for Grenadian technicians who will continue to maintain the facility after the agreement expires.

Wen told the Grenada delegation that China is willing to assist in the areas of tourism, agriculture and human resource development, scholarships and technical and managerial expertise, while promising that his government will support Chinese companies interested in investing in the Caribbean nation.

The Chinese leader called on Grenada and the wider Caribbean to find ways of attracting more Chinese tourists to the region.