Belize Government Taiwan Tender

Today President Mauricio Claver-Carone of the Inter-American Development Bank IDB met with Vice Minister Alexander Tah-ray Yui to discuss strategic expansion of the cooperation between the IDB and Taiwan in Latin America and the Caribbean. During the meeting the IDB and Taiwans International Cooperation and Development Fund ICDF signed a Letter of Intent LOI with Mr. Joseph Waight Financial Secretary of Belizes Ministry of Finance Economic Development and Investment to establish cooperation and coordination of IDB approved financing that includes an additional 5 million from the ICDF that will be coordinated and supervised by the IDB program.This agreement seeks to create employment and foster the economic recovery of micro small and medium-sized enterprises MSMEs in Belize. This collaboration builds on the IDBs existing work in Belize that finances programs that support the protection of productive sectors. This program is also expected to benefit businesses that have been deeply affected by the COVID-19 crisis.At the IDB we are thrilled to support Belize by empowering MSMEs which are critical sources of jobs innovation and growth remarked President Claver-Carone. Taiwan is a model of how to empower and leverage the private sector as an engine for growth to drive sustainable transparent development and we look forward to working together to uplift Belizes MSMES in particular as we seek to replicate the Banks newly reached historic support for women-led businesses as a means of reigniting recovery and growth across the region said President Claver-Carone.The Inter-American Development Bank is the most prominent development bank in the Western Hemisphere. Taiwan has been proactively seeking opportunities of cooperation with the IDB. Signing the Letter of Intent for the joint cooperation in Belize today marks the beginning of deeper engagement between Taiwan and the IDB. Through the partnership with the IDB Taiwan looks forward to enhancing cooperation with all the democratic countries in the region said Vice Minister Yui.The Government of Belize is grateful for the continued support of the IDB and Taiwan toward the sustainable and balanced growth and development of Belize. The GOB is particularly appreciative of this program aimed at supporting women-led small and medium enterprises which is seen as a key element in the economic recovery of Belize. The GOB commits to working closely with our development partners to ensure a successful implementation of this program stated Financial Secretary Waight.The funds will help MSMEs with a focus on women-led business finance productive investments including purchases of plant equipment and machinery expansion and improvement of productive infrastructure plant and process retrofitting to adapt to new public health requirements and the implementation of new technology techniques and processes.The partnerships focus on empowering small enterprises and promoting gender and diversity is closely aligned with Vision 2025 Reinvest in the Americas the IDBs blueprint for fostering recovery and inclusive sustainable growth in Latin America and the Caribbean.