The Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), H.E. George Chan has formally released the first payment of the '2008 constituency and rural development fund'.

This includes micro-project scheme for grassroots development and millennium development fund with the total of SBD$10 million.

Ambassador Chan assured Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua of Taiwan's full support of his government to implement the rural policy to help the rural development in Solomon Islands.

The project is one of the funds which go down to the core of rural areas and will definitely improve the livelihood of the majority inhabitants.

Ambassador Chan reiterated that as a staunch alley of the Solomon Islands, Taiwan is sympathetic with the difficulties of lives in the rural areas of the Solomon Islands and therefore committees itself to enhance the livelihood of the people in the countryside.

The fund was initiated to satisfy that cause from which more than 85% of people in Solomon Islands would benefit.

Ambassador Chan urged every Member of Parliament and his constituency committees to consult with each other before using this fund on the right things at the right places in a transparent and accountable way.

In response, Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Sikua sincerely thanked Ambassador Chan and the Taiwanese Government for the continuing assistance to the SIG and was pleased that the fund was released timely to help rural people.