The Government of the People’s Republic of China has allocated the amount of US$36 million to the Liberian Government to cover expenses for four Chinese-sponsored projects in Liberia.

The gratuitous assistance was made during Tuesday’s note of exchange ceremony between both countries held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China accredited to Liberia, His Excellency Zhao Jianhua represented their respective countries at the ceremony.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, Chinese Ambassador Zhao disclosed that the amount is an initial amount against US$100 million intended to finance the refurbishment of the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex in Paynesville, the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) in Paynesville, construction of annexes for the National Legislature/Capitol Building in Monrovia and the Ministerial Complex to be constructed in Congo Town outside Monrovia.

Speaking after the signing of the notes, the Chinese Envoy stated: “I’m extremely happy today to sign this letter of exchange and it’s money for the projects that have been agreed upon which are being simultaneously worked on at the moment”. He promised that all four projects will be implemented with good quality and dedicated on time.

Minister Ngafuan, thanked the Chinese Government through its Ambassador on behalf of the Liberian Government and paid special tribute to the Government and People of China for standing by Liberia during the time of real need adding, the Government and People of China have been with us in a strong way. There are lot of tangible evidences of the partnership between Liberia and China.

Minister Ngafuan said the signing of the notes of exchange signifies that the two countries are getting closer to the implementations of the projects because previous signings were commitments while the exchange of notes means cash coming in for the implementation of the projects.

An agreement for the Ministerial Complex, expected to be China’s second largest building in Africa after the African Union Headquarters in Ethiopia, was signed last year and will greatly help the Liberian Government’s bid to move away from being a tenant to a landlord.

The MVTC, which is nearing completion to be officially handed over to the Liberian Government, is meant to boost the Government’s youth empowerment policy by making the country’s young people employable through the acquisition of skills.

Constructing annexes at the Capitol Building is expected to provide more space for the country’s lawmakers while the refurbishing of the SKD Stadium is expected to give the national stadium a brand new face.