Chinese Government grants Cook Islands NZ $1.5 million for Agricultural and Mechanical Equipment Project

In 2013, China granted the Cook Islands NZ $1.5 million for the Agricultural and Mechanical Equipment Project.

The project is part of the Cook Islands Government initiative to "revitalize agricultural production......in an effort to reduce importation of products and increase self-reliance and increase economic empowerment, especially in the Outer Islands".

Foton Lovol International Heavy Industry Corporation won the contract to supply 60 agricultural and construction machinery to the Cook Islands.

According to "Cooks Receive $1.5M Chinese Ag Machinery Gift," letters of exchange and a handover ceremony for the equipment was held on October 22, 2015, and "All machines apart from one, which will be used by the Ministry of Agriculture, will go to the Pa Enua (Outer Islands)." Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve.

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.