As we've been reporting, the Taiwanese Foreign Minister, Dr. David Lee left Belize today after a 48 Horus visit. He got what eh came for - which is an assurance that Belize will stick with Taiwan, and Belize got a 60 million US dollar package of loans and grants.
But, for the Taiwanese - it really is about more than just money. They have invested plentifully in giving Belize technical assistance in areas such as agriculture, aquaculture and information technology. But, to be honest, many times their programs don't catch on, because Taiwan is too advanced for Belize where the pace of adaptation and change can be slow.
Look for example at the Tilapia Hatchery Centre at the Central Farm in the Cayo District. After five years of nurturing the program, the Taiwanese handed it over to Belize after investing $2.5 million US dollars. It is now operated by the Aquaculture Unit of the Agriculture Department providing extension services and fish farming training workshops to fish farmers. But currently there are only 69 active small scale fish farmers spread across the six districts. These farmers have a combined pond production area of over 17 acres - which is not quite an awesome figure.
Today we asked him about that mismatch in Taiwan's abilities and Belize's sometimes slow uptake - and the Foreign Minister was the consummate diplomat, ever optimistic:.
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Is this a frustration for your government that sometimes our strategies are...."
Hon. Dr. David Tawei Lee, Foreign Minister - Taiwan
"You know what I can share with you is touring the country from the city of Belize to the capital city and yesterday we toured the Central Farm, along the road I saw the houses, I saw the villages, I saw the people. That reminds me of Taiwan when I was a child. So if Taiwan can make it, I am very sure there is no reason why you cannot make it. I think education is always the key and certainly also hard work. Nothing is free and without hard work, you don't see the fruits that are coming down from the sky." (smiling)
The Taiwanese also spearheaded a Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project which runs from 2015 to 2018.
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