December 3, 2024
No. 446
Taiwan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) cohosted the third EBRD Donor Day meeting in Taipei on December 2. EBRD Director for Donor Partnerships Camilla Otto led a delegation to Taiwan for the event.
The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on providing skills development opportunities at a ceremony witnessed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Chung-kwang. The MOU was signed on behalf of Taiwan by Jonathan C. Y. Sun, Director General of the Department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and by Director Otto on behalf of the EBRD.
Deputy Minister Tien delivered a speech in which he discussed Taiwan’s strengths in technology, digital and smart solutions, and the energy sector. He noted that talented individuals from Taiwan could make concrete contributions to advancing the EBRD’s work. He stated that the MOU would enhance bilateral personnel exchanges and experience sharing, adding that Taiwan looked forward to bolstering cooperation with the EBRD to further assist countries and peoples in need.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the successful results of joint endeavors, including aid to Ukraine. They also reached a mutual understanding on continuing to leverage Taiwan’s strengths in such domains as ICT, financial innovation, green cities, smart transport, and information security in order to help EBRD member countries pursue green, digital, and smart technology transformations.
The EBRD was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in London. A renowned multilateral development bank with an excellent credit rating, it assists countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, West Asia, North Africa, and other regions in gradually transitioning to market economies and democratic and pluralistic societies.
Taiwan is an important cooperation partner of the EBRD. In 2006, it established the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund, which has since helped finance over 400 EBRD projects. Taiwan proactively supports EBRD efforts to promote socioeconomic development in beneficiary countries and creates business opportunities for Taiwanese companies, achieving win-win outcomes. (E)