BEIJING, Sept 8: China will provide about 4 billion yuan ($530m) in favourable loans over three years to Chinese companies investing in the Caribbean, the China Daily said on Saturday, citing vice premier Wu Yi.

The Caribbean is a growing source for China’s imports of resources, including alumina, nickel and sugar, helping lift trade with the region by 64 per cent last year to $4.4 billion.

In return, China is an important source of textiles and manufactured goods for the island nations.

China agreed to promote tourism and provide training and technology exchange to help balance trade with the region, the China Daily said.

“China will provide assistance without attaching any political strings, including providing 4 billion yuan in low-interest loans and training for 2,000 technical personnel,”

Wu told the China-Caribbean Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum in Xiamen, attended by delegates from 13 Caribbean countries.—Reuters