The Government of the People’s Republic of China has again assisted Samoa in funding several local development projects worth Y$30 million.

The Economic Technical Cooperation agreement was signed this morning between China’s visiting Minister of Commerce Mr.Chen Deming and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi.

The agreement will cover three local projects, that includes the National University of Samoa Maritime School, the Siumu Primary School and the Loto Taumafai centre for students with disabilities.

China is also putting in Y$14.5 million into the Sino-Samoa Agricultural and Technical Cooperation project based at Nu’u which has successfully grown rice amongst other agriobased projects.

The Minister of Agriculture, Le Mamea Ropati welcomes the assistance. He told Talamua that Samoa’s agriculture is  stable but assistance from donor country’s such as China can make a difference in it’s development.

Despite the lack of international market, agriculture is still Samoa’s priority when it comes to trading and Government is prioritizing negotiations with international markets.

Le Mamea also acknowledged China’s assistance through the Nu’u project where organic farming is being piloted for local farmers. So far local farmers have utilised the China Nu’u programme and have advanced into farming crops not only for consumption but for the commercial markets.

China has also granted a donation to the Government of Samoa to help with various projects.