Republic of China on Taiwan Contributes to Young Entrepreneur Programs

On June 15, 2004 the Republic of China on Taiwan (Taiwan) will present a donation to Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) to support YABT’s work with young entrepreneurs. The ceremony will be held at the historic Main Building of the Organization of American States in Washington, DC.

The Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) and Taiwan signed a General Cooperation Agreement for young entrepreneurs in Latin America and the Caribbean on March 17, 2003. Since then, Taiwan has assisted YABT in building its network of young business leaders and offering training opportunities for young people.

The Young Americas Business Trust acts as a catalyst for young entrepreneur development through public / private sector partnerships, working with international organizations to increase the resources available for young people to become successful entrepreneurs to combat poverty and create employment for young people. These challenges remain high priorities of the Member States of the Organization of American States.

The Young Americas Business Trust will use the contribution during 2004 to expand its young entrepreneur network and offer additional training opportunities to young business leaders in the Americas. The network focuses on increasing linkages among young people in business in the Americas through trade, training, and technology initiatives. Young entrepreneurs in the network increase their contacts in the region and internationally, participate in conferences and seminars on business and technology, and learn how to become good business citizens in their community.

His Excellency C. J. Chen, Representative of Taiwan in the United States, said: "In renewing our agreement, my country pledges to continue to share its expertise and knowledge with our many friends in the Western Hemisphere.” He noted that fourteen countries in the region recognize the ROC Taiwan, the largest number of any area of the world. He added, “The Republic of China on Taiwan has always contributed to trade and development in the Americas. We also have a special appreciation for the OAS and value its role as the leading forum for Inter-American cooperation. Through this contribution to YABT we demonstrate our willingness to continue this collaboration with programs for young people.”

The Chair of the Board of Directors of the YABT, Ambassador Jeanette W. Hyde, noted, “The Republic of China on Taiwan has made a generous contribution to the future of business in the Americas and the Caribbean through its friendship and support of the Young Americas Business Trust. Its continuing cooperation with its friends and allies across the Hemisphere always bring benefits that build democracy, encourage economic growth, and strengthen social development.” She also commented that Taiwan’s success offers many useful lessons to development, particularly for small countries and island states.

The Young Americas Business Trust is a non-profit corporation affiliated with the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States created in 1999 as follow-up to the Summits of the Americas. It is based at the General Secretariat of the OAS in Washington, DC and recognized by the US IRS as a 501 (c) (3) organization.

Taiwan has recently applied to become a Permanent Observer at the OAS in order to facilitate further technical

and friendly cooperation with the Americas.