And while Belize welcomed the Canadian CONCACAF president the Taiwanese were busy acknowledging women entrepreneurs through their MSME Women Economic Empowerment Competition.
It's a competition that was open to female entrepreneurs who participated in the project's capacity-building programs or vocational training. The 5 winners were each granted modest investment funds to aid in their business developments.
The ceremony was opened by Taiwan's Ambassador to Belize, Her Excellency Lily Li-Wen Hsu, and here's what she said about the passion and business acumen behind the winners.
H.E. Li-Wen Hsu, Taiwanese Ambassador TO Belize
"Among the many projects our two governments work on in collaboration I daresay the women's empowerment project is by far the most rewarding one. As the United Nations High Commissioner for human rights -- so poignantly put it, "No society could thrive, if it held back, half of its people and stifled half of its talent." Taiwan is therefore very honoured to partner with the Belizean government and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Ministry of Human Resources and Human Development to advance women's rights and support Women's empowerment in Belize."
"I believe with this MSME entrepreneurship competition project, we hope to see more women being inspired and encouraged to start their own businesses or scale up their current ones."
"With women's entrepreneurship keeps on going it will surely contribute to the enhanced development of competitive MSME then translate into economic growth and social prosperity."
The winners included, in first place Katia Montenegro Hoare of MonTrans Consulting, second place winner Nicolyn Raymond of Inner Peace Financials, and third place Yssenia Guerra of Yessi's Cuisine.
Thus far, the project has benefited over 600 women and youth, empowering them in the post-pandemic recovery. BZ$95,000 in investment funds have been disbursed to those who have succeeded in three competitions.
