An agreement on establishing Central American Bank for Economic Integration’s regional headquarters in Taiwan was concluded April 23 via videoconference by the Ministry of Finance and Honduras-based CABEI.
Inked by MOF Minister Su Jain-rong and CABEI Executive President Dante Mossi, the agreement paves the way for the bank to open an office at landmark Taipei 101 in June. Other officials witnessing the signing included Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Central Bank Gov. Yang Chin-long and Honduras Finance Minister Marco Midence.
According to Su, the agreement represents a deepening of the cooperative relationship between Taiwan and CABEI. The government is committed to working even closer with the bank in promoting development and prosperity in Central America, he said.
Echoing Su’s remarks, Wu described CABEI’s decision to set up its first Asian office in Taiwan as a significant development. The country looks forward to becoming a constructive partner of the intergovernmental organization as it expands operations in the Asia-Pacific, he added.
In response, Mossi said Taiwan has the highest contribution of subscribed capital among the bank’s extra-regional partners. The office is expected to attract more resources, investment and know-how to the region, he added.
In a tweet on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official Twitter account, the MOFA said “Minister Wu observed the signing of an agreement establishing the Central American Bank for Economic Integration’s regional HQ in #Taiwan. MOF Minister Su & #CABEI Executive President Mossi proudly put pen to paper in realizing a milestone development in cooperative relations.”
CABEI, established in 1960, comprises 15 members states, with Taiwan joining in 1992 as one of the first extra-regional partners. Collaboration focuses on poverty reduction via programs spanning agriculture, education, food security, and micro, small and medium enterprises, according to the MOFA. (SFC-E)
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