Officials at the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) at Tien Mou West Road in Taipei, Taiwan, have assured their institutions determination to thread into new areas to complement the development efforts of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, including The Gambia.

The ICDF senior officials made these remarks during a press conference with a score of African journalists, who participated in the just ended Taiwan-Africa Summit and the Taiwan-Africa Progressive Partnership Forum in Taipei, Taiwan.

Stephen JH Lee, Deputy Director of ICDF, said it is the wish of ICDF and the government of Taiwan to see to it that more cooperation are forged in priority areas of development of allied nations. Mr Lee told the journalists that cooperation with Taiwan’s allies is guided by principles that reflect the interest of its friendly countries.

According to him, the institution has a legacy of solid results in its international programmes, ranging from health, agriculture, education, Small Medium Enterprises, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and short-term humanitarian assistance for emergency. These sectors, he added, have seen the dispatch of technical missions and experts to countries that have diplomatic relations with the Asian-Pacific island nation.

Mr Lee noted that the ICDF’s cooperations also runs to complement the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals through partnership. He added that the ICDF could only work with countries that “speak the same language” with Taipei, assuring their willingness to build on the gains registered under the ambit of international cooperations.

Andrea SY Lee, Deputy Secretary General of ICDF, said the institution started operation in 1960s and maintains offices in 29 countries. He then thanked the journalists for their visit and expressed hope to receive them in Taiwan in future.

During the meeting, journalists expressed the need for the institution to extend its tentacles to the media in Africa in order to enable it measure up with emerging technologies and challenges. The journalists emphasised the need for long-term training, as well as strengthening of institutional capacity through the supply of equipment to ensure quality output in media outlets in allied countries.

Ms Marissa Chang, ICDF’s Project Manager at the Policy and Planning Department, also spoke at the press conference.