Taiwan is partnering with U.S. International Development Finance Corp. (DFC) in realizing an additional US$6 billion of private sector investment via the development bank’s 2X Women’s Initiative as part of the Trump administration’s Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative.
 
Announced by Hsiao Bi-khim, head of Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S., and Adam Boehler, chief executive officer of DFC, Aug. 6 in Washington, the commitment involves a US$350,000 sponsorship supporting women’s entrepreneurship and advancing gender-aware investments in the developing world.
 
The tie-up enables Taiwan and DFC to work with private sector partners in designing and conducting two training programs targeting investment officers, women entrepreneurs and other key stakeholders. In addition, the two sides will share best practices and know-how aimed at strengthening gender-related financing policies.
 
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan is collaborating with the U.S. in helping women across Latin America and the Caribbean fully contribute to economic development and achieve inclusive prosperity.
 
Highlights of this partnership include the first Global Cooperation and Training Framework seminar in Latin American and the Caribbean announced July 15 by Taiwan, the U.S. and host Guatemala; the inaugural Taiwan-U.S.-Guatemala-Honduras quadrilateral talks on advancing regional cooperation and development held in January; and a microfinancing program co-administered by DFC for small and medium enterprises headed by women in Paraguay.
 
WGDPI was launched by the White House in February 2019 as the first whole-of-government effort to increase the access of women entrepreneurs and business owners to financing, market opportunities and training. (TYT-E)
 
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