Isle of Man to end financial aid to India

The Isle of Man's overseas funding organisation will end direct financial aid to India, in recognition of its status as a major economic force.

The decision, according to a Manx government spokesman, "does not preclude emergency or disaster relief".

The move coincides with a re-branding of the overseas aid committee, now called International Development.

In November 2012, the UK government announced plans to phase out financial aid to India by 2015.

A spokesman said in the future, Manx international aid would be designed to "work harder".

'Technical assistance'

He added: "'One project we are looking to support is a sustainable fisheries management programme in Sierra Leone, in conjunction with other major stakeholders such as the World Bank.

"The Isle of Man already has strong links with this country and last year gifted a fisheries protection vessel to the Sierra Leonean authorities.

"A great deal of work still needs to be done before this initiative can be taken forward, but there is an opportunity to enhance our support through the provision of technical assistance, personnel and training."

The Isle of Man's international development committee has an annual a budget of £2.4m - it is used for grants and donations to disaster and emergency appeals in developing countries.