Taiwan donated 200 metric tons of rice Dec. 23, 2008 to diplomatic ally Kiribati in a bid to help relieve a food shortage in the Pacific nation. At the handover ceremony, Republic of China Ambassador to Kiribati Chen Shih-liang said the donation demonstrated Taiwan's care and friendship for the island's people. The ROC's agricultural mission in Kiribati has been assisting the country with agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery programs to help alleviate its food shortage problems. A representative from the Kiribati Presidential Office stated that the rice would be distributed among hospitals, clinics and public boarding schools.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that the government's policy of promoting green technology has helped generate economic benefits of about NT$6 billion (US$181.8 million) to date. Ministry officials pointed out that more resources would be allocated to providing manufacturers with improved technologies in the areas of cleaner production processes and eco-friendly waste treatment. In addition, companies would be assisted in obtaining eco-friendly accreditations from the European Union, United States and other foreign countries, which would enhance their abilities to enter overseas markets.
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