On October 28, the ground-breaking ceremony of Maurice Bishop International Airport Runway and Road Upgrade and Rehabilitation Project was held at the airport. Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, H.E. Dr. Zhao Yongchen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Grenada, Hon. Norland Cox, Minister for Infrastructure Development, Transport and Implementation, Hon. Clarice Modeste-Curwen, Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Climate Resilience and the Environment, Hon. Peter David, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Lands and Labor, permanent secretaries, officials from the Grenadian government, representatives from Grenada Airport Authority and China Harbor Engineering Company attended the ceremony.
Ambassador Zhao, on behalf of the government of the People’s Republic of China, extended the warmest congratulations to the commencement of the Project. He described the Project as another milestone for the bilateral cooperation under the “Belt and Road” initiative. During the past 15 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations, he noted that, China and Grenada have been carrying out comprehensive and practical cooperation based on the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit. China has been rendering assistance within its capacity in various sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, social welfare, agriculture, sports, etc. When COVID-19 pandemic reached Grenada, the Chinese government and enterprises assisted with five batches of medical supplies to help with the fight against the epidemic. He emphasized, China is a major country and a responsible country and shoulders the international liability and responsibility to help developing countries with their economic and social development. Upholding the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, China stands together with other developing countries to help them improve people’s living standard and develop economy, jointly safeguard world peace, international order and multilateralism, and oppose unilateralism, protectionism and bullying practices. With sincerity, China’s assistance has contributed a lot to economic development and people’s well-being of Grenada.
Prime Minister, Dr Mitchell acknowledged the significance of the Project, and extended heartful appreciation to the Chinese Government for the long-time support and assistance. The project, he pointed out, is of a critical nature, and would benefit the future generations. He stated that the upgraded airport could accommodate more international airplanes, with up-to-international-standard services and more secure, efficient and comfortable experiences for local and international passengers. The number of passengers from home and abroad would grow accordingly which would be a great boost to tourism and the whole economy. Besides, the project could create numerous job opportunities, in perfect collaboration with the economic recovery endeavor undertaken by the Grenadian Government. He emphasized again that the project is the first one to use concessional loan from the Chinese Government, and the so-called “debt-trap” is nonsense.
Minister Cox expressed his gratitude for the concerted efforts by all the parties from the two countries. He said that the project is the largest program currently under implementation in Grenada. MBIA is the only international airport in Grenada. Some of the facilities and equipment are out of date and call for upgrade and rehabilitation urgently. Upon completion, the airport will be equipped with modern facilities which will bring about better landing and taking-off condition, improvement of efficiency, reduction of operation cost and more comfortable experience for passengers.
Minister Modeste-Curwen extended her appreciation to the Chinese Government for the timely support. She noted that the Airport facilitated nearly half million passengers in 2019, and has become an important window of Grenada connecting with the outside world. The upgraded airport would surely add stimulus to tourism and economic development.
The project is funded by a concessional loan from China Export and Import Bank. Work to be done mainly include Resurfacing of the existing Runway and pavement of Runway Shoulders, Construction of an aircraft Turning Bay, Apron and Taxiway expansion, Upgrading of the Airfield Lighting System, Construction of two-way apron service lane, installation of two Passenger Boarding Bridges and all relating Pier Works, Remodeling the airside arrival area to accommodate the two Passenger Boarding Bridges and the installation of elevators, escalators and/or stairs, Remodeling of the forecourt roads outside the terminal, and construction of Emergency Office Center (EOC), etc.
