Over the past 4 years, Taiwan ICDF's Women's Economic Empowerment Initiative in Belize has produced 43 batches of vocational training, 360 new start ups, benefitting over 2,000 participants.
The project has now concluded its journey with a closing ceremony yesterday which featured 45 women entrepreneurs who showcased their businesses, skills and products they brought to life with assistance of the program. Here are the highlights of that event.
H.E. Lily Li-Wen Hsu, Ambassador of Belize to Taiwan
"This joint initiative of Taiwan and Belize was launched in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic aiming to support women in economic activities for post pandemic recovery. Over the past 4 years under this project numerous programs have been carried out all over the nation very Benque Viejo to San Pedro from Corozal to Punta Gorda, I and many of our partners and teams we travel all over the nation.And through working with many like minded partners including various ministries, government agencies, NGO's business sectors academia international partners this project has helped, CEO update their number to more than 2700 women gain vocational skills and build capacity of entrepreneurship in widespread areas across green, blue and orange economies."
Amalia Mai, CEO, Foreign Affairs
"The tangible outcomes of the projects have numbered 43 batches of vocational training 1117 women additionally creating 360 new start ups some of which have gained international recognition but importantly the highlighting peace building project at the organization of American states at the OAS through the border women economic empowerment and peace culture project is an exemplary example of international cooperation, and I personally feel very proud of that project when we visited the house of Tamai it was clear that the young people in that area who needed so much help were able to get this support through the project in fact some of them have even earned jobs before completing the project."
Amira Pelayo, Owner of Sangria Mia, Entrepreneur
"There is no doubt in my mind that this platform made me visible, that visibility opened the doors for me to serve in the executive council of the Belize Chamber Of Commerce and industry and then came November 2024. When I had the incredible honor of representing BCCI at a digital transformation strategies workshop in Taiwan, that experience was one of the most impactful learning opportunities of my life. I witness first hand the importance of technology for small businesses I came home with a deeper understanding that digital transformation require unity that means government, financial institutions and private sectors, MSME and community leaders all working hand in hand, Taiwan taught me what true collaboration, discipline and national vision looks like."
