Basseterre, St. Kitts (CUOPM) — Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is not only crediting the Federation’s Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas for the St. Kitts Eco-Park, but also creating the presence of two harmonious cultures.
“I could recall that it was the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis who brought up an idea of building up an agro-tourism demonstration farm in St. Kitts and Nevis when he visited my country, the Republic of China (Taiwan) in March, 2011. Both countries agreed with this idea and signed the cooperation agreement for moving and making this come true,” said Ambassador Tsao, who added that that visit laid a milestone foundation for what is the St. Kitts Eco-Park.
“Your Right Honourable, I would like to take this opportunity to say congratulations to you and your Government for the far-sighted and keen vision in leading St. Kitts and Nevis to a sustainable future,” Ambassador Tsao told scores of government officials, private sector representatives and invited guests.
The top Taiwan diplomat in his remarks said after a three-year-long teamwork, the St. Kitts Eco-Park is a successful integration of ideas and practice of tourism, agriculture and green energy.
“4G concept is carried out through Green Energy, Green House, Green Landscaping and Green Buildings. In terms of Green Energy, solar wire fence is applied to scare away monkeys, illumination at the entire Park is powered by sunlight, and two solar trackers were set up for supplying the electricity at the visitor centers,” said Ambassador Tsao.
Boasting that as the Green House is the largest of its kind in the East Caribbean, it identifies its uniqueness with a 24-meter steel beam that is not supported by extra columns.
He said the Green Landscaping in the Park is well featured with focal spots like the medicine herbs garden, the open-air tea house, the rose garden, the butterfly orchard, the desert plants garden and a wide range of tropical fruit trees.
“When it comes to Green Building, the cutting-edge and durable construction material called glass reinforced fiber (or GRC) materials were used for constructing the visitor centers and tea house buildings. Most important of all, this Park shows a harmonious presence of two cultures through various flora and foliage at the Park. For example, herbs and sugar cane carries the local heritage while sweet potatoes and orchids symbolize a Taiwanese spirit,” said Ambassador Tsao.
He expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Chairman, Mr. Joseph Edmeade; Deputy Chairman, Mr. Levi Bradshaw and all members of the Project Management Committee.
“Mr. Edmeade led Project Managers on behalf of both sides, Mr. Mars Shiue and Mr. Kenney Manning as well as specialists, technicians and all the team members working tirelessly to bring this project to bear fruit. Any way to success has never been a piece of cake, you could imagine that many setbacks were encountered on their daily work. However, thanks to their professionalism and their commitment to this project, so the obstacles were always taken out and the achievement can be made today. My gratitude also goes to Professor Dr. Lin Chen-tze, the designer and architect of this Park, and also all the personnel and business involved with this project. I say thank you and “good job,” all the partners,” Ambassador Tsao said.