Eight Pacific regional organisations have received US$1,023,291 from Taiwan/ROC as part of an aid package covering 29 projects.

The funds were released today by Taiwan...’s Trade Representative in Suva, Fiji, Mr Sherman Kuo, at a handover ceremony held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

The Taiwan/ROC assistance to regional organisations was originally announced last October at the 14th Taiwan/ROC-Forum Countries Dialogue, held in Nadi, Fiji.

The eight beneficiary organisations are part of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP). They include the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Fiji School of Medicine (FSMed), Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), South Pacific Board for Educational Assessment (SPBEA), Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) and the University of the South Pacific (USP).

Development projects to be implemented under the Taiwan/ROC assistance will cover priority areas consistent with Pacific Plan initiatives, including:

...• Private and public sector development;

...• Clinical training for medical and allied health students;

...• Educating small business managers and entrepreneurs in utilising International Finance Corporation World Bank SME business toolkits;

...• Fisheries;

...• Education;

...• Sustainable development;

...• Bio-discovery;

...• Water, sanitation and hygiene; and

...• Renewable energy.... 

Taiwan/ROC-PIF scholarship funds

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat has also received U$177,868 for the implementation of Taiwan/ROC scholarship awards for the first half of 2007.

This is the latest annual contribution to the scheme since its inception in 2001.

Eleven scholarships have been awarded this year to students from the Federated States of Micronesia (1), Fiji (1), Kiribati (1), Nauru (1), Palau (1), Republic of Marshall Islands (1), Samoa (2), Solomon Islands (1), Tuvalu (1) and Vanuatu (1).

The programmes of study cover certificate, diploma and undergraduate courses in education, medicine, law, commerce, engineering, carpentry, agriculture and tourism.

There are currently 27 awardees under the Scheme, mostly studying at local and regional institutions.... Forum Secretariat, 03/05/07.