Dr. Lin Chia-lung
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
October 7, 2025
(As Prepared for Delivery)
Executive President Gisela Sánchez;
Deputy Minister of Finance Juan Ching-hwa;
Excellencies Ambassadors and Honorable Representatives;
Distinguished guests:
Good morning!
It is my great pleasure to join President Sánchez and Deputy Minister of Finance Juan in officially unveiling the new premises of CABEI’s country office here in the diplomatic quarter of Tianmu. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome and heartfelt congratulations to President Sánchez and her delegation.
Taiwan became a non-regional member of CABEI in 1992. We have been a trusted partner and a committed supporter of the bank’s mission to advance economic integration and promote balanced socioeconomic development in Central America. As a testament to our close ties, CABEI selected Taiwan as its primary hub in Asia. We are proud to be the first country in the region to host a CABEI office, which started operations in July 2021.
The move from Taipei 101 to Tianmu is not only about changing locations. It represents the growth of our partnership and opens a fresh chapter in relations between Taiwan and CABEI. I am confident that the country office will continue to enhance engagement with corporate partners and other CABEI member countries, including Guatemala, Belize, Argentina, and Spain, who are also here with us today.
Over the years, Taiwan has participated in a wide range of CABEI initiatives. We have worked on infrastructure development; provided financial support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs); and joined efforts to address global challenges such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.
A recent milestone was the Financial Program for Women-led MSMEs launched by TaiwanICDF and CABEI last month. With 10 million US dollars contributed by TaiwanICDF, the program will improve access to financing for women-led MSMEs in Guatemala. The initiative will help enterprises build capacity and create sustainable business models. Our investment demonstrates Taiwan’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive economic growth in Central America.
Under President Sánchez’s leadership, CABEI has accelerated governance and institutional reforms. In August, Moody’s affirmed CABEI’s long-term credit rating at Aa3 with a positive outlook. This highlights President Sánchez’s dedication to transparency and sound financial management.
Today’s ceremony is a meaningful moment in our relationship. We look forward to learning and growing together with CABEI, strengthening cooperation, and jointly addressing regional and global challenges.
Last but not least, I wish President Sánchez and her delegation a productive and rewarding visit to Taiwan. May the partnerships between Taiwan, CABEI, and all member countries continue to prosper. Thank you!