Taiwanese Ambassador hands over projects to government

A redo of a handing over of projects took place today in Belmopan. The government of Taiwan through its Ambassador, David Wu, handed over a portfolio of projects to the government.  It represents a three million dollars investment in horticulture, agro-processing and production. According to the Ambassador, more than seventy families have benefitted. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The Taiwanese Technical Mission, during a brief ceremony held at the end of November in Central Farm, handed over to the Government of Belize responsibility for a number of projects spearheaded by the delegation.  While Taiwanese Ambassador David Wu was on hand to sign over the various initiatives, Minister of Agriculture Gaspar Vega and his CEO were noticeably absent.  Today, both parties met to formally assign the Ministry of Agriculture the task of overseeing the success of the projects.

Gaspar Vega, Minister of Agriculture

Gaspar Vega

“I am certain that the ministry is now ready to continue the projects that you came here to implement and we look forward to continuing the good relationship that we have with you, especially in the tilapia farming, something that you just mentioned we’ll be working on.  And eventually again when the project is in a state where we can continue it I am certain that we’ll be having another celebration like the one today.”

Taiwanese Ambassador David Wu outlined the three projects, as well as the progress made in each respective area since commencement a few years ago.

File: November 27th, 2013

David Wu

David Wu, Taiwanese Ambassador

“Currently the Taiwan Technical Mission have three main projects: Horticulture Development Project, Rising Production Project and Agro-processing project. In the past four years, the Government of the Republic of China and Taiwan have put in more than three million U.S. dollars to execute this three projects. We implemented horticultural crop development project with four sub-projects including horticulture crops demonstration and the training center; horticulture extension; papaya exportation and our farm fruit safety extension. The horticulture crop demonstration and the training center has demonstrated techniques in seedling production and compost production as well as giving workshops on fruits and vegetable cultivation. Four hundred and seventy-two families have benefited from this project.”

According to Minister Vega, government is exploring the possibility of awarding tertiary level scholarships to students interested in the field of agriculture.  Ambassador Wu, he says, is open to the idea of having them study in Taiwan.

Gaspar Vega

“We want to send at least two persons to study these special projects that we are accepting from the Taiwanese government so that, like you said, they become very successful and not for just a couple years but for the long run.  I think the ambassador said that he’s going to look into assuring us two spots, so anyone that is interested can call at the agriculture department here, my CEO Mr. Alpuche or anyone in the agriculture sector so that we can guide them as to what we need them to study.”

Included in the assignment are vehicles, agricultural machinery, as well as properties.  Accepting the donation in the first instance was Chief Agriculture Officer Roberto Harrison. Isani Cayetano for News Five.