Politics

ICDF to initiate new technical aid projects

• Publication Date：06/11/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Rachel Chan

Assistance programs for ROC diplomatic allies are set to be upgraded as part of a central government drive to better utilize the nation’s foreign aid resources, according to the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund June 10.

“We are looking to transform existing cooperation models and better accommodate the needs of ROC allies,” the ICDF said in a statement. “Our technical missions have accomplished their tasks with aplomb and we plan to build on this track record.”

The ICDF said certain projects, such as the ROC-Panama agricultural and fishery cooperative program, are gradually being handing over to host nations with ROC technical mission members reassigned.

The government is also considering introducing new cooperation projects and recruiting more technical personnel and professionals familiar with international affairs to serve as project managers, the ICDF added.

Such programs include prevention of citrus greening disease with the Central America Regional International Organization for Plant Protection and Animal Health, and fisheries and waste treatment with the Panama government. Promoting geographic information systems and various forms of information and communications technology are two other projects under consideration.

Steve Hsia, deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said ICDF efforts are in keeping with government policy to tailor aid programs in accordance with local conditions and carry them out in an efficient manner.

“All decisions concerning the future of existing or planned projects will be made following consultations with the relevant governments,” he said.

According to Hsia, MOFA Minister Timothy Chin-tien Yang, who visited Burkina Faso June 7-9, reviewed bilateral cooperation projects with his counterparts in the West Africa nation and mapped out plans for the next two years. (JSM)

Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw