Print

Mail

wiki links

Taiwan to contribute to Balkan reconstruction

Taiwan signed a letter of intent with the London-based European Bank of Reconstruction Develop-ment (EBRD) yesterday to cooperate on reconstruction projects in the Balkans.

The letter was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Chien-jen (程建人) and EBRD chairman Horst Kohler.

The letter covers cooperation in two reconstruction projects in Macedonia and a bank project for small business enterprises in Kosovo.

EBRD proposed its reconstruction project to the Taiwan government after President Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) announced a US$300 million aid package for Kosovo in June 1999.

Kohler also met with Lee and officials from the finance ministry and the Central Bank of China yesterday before signing the agreement.

During the meeting, Lee extolled Taiwan's success over the past 15 years and called democratization "a cornerstone of its vibrant economic development."

Lee told his guest that Taiwan now ranks among the world's top 20 economic powers and commands great clout in the global economic system.

Lee also added that increased per capita income has helped upgrade Taiwan's living standards and quality of life.

Quoting official statistics, Lee said Taiwan's per capita income rose from US$3,130 in 1985 to US$13,112 in 1998, and its annual trade volume also surged from US$50.8 billion to US$215.2 billion during the same period.

Taiwan also boasts the world's third largest foreign exchange reserves, standing at US$102.7 billion at the end of last October, Lee said.

For his part, Kohler said he was impressed by the vitality of Taiwanese people during his brief stay.

"I think this may be one of Taiwan's special features," Kohler said.
This story has been viewed 2226 times.