Seven regional organisations have received USD$665,700 for 16 projects as part of Taiwan/Republic of China's annual contributions to the region.

The approved projects were announced at the 15th Taiwan/Republic of China-Forum Countries Dialogue held in Nuku'alofa, Tonga on 19 October 2007.

The projects include; review of fisheries investment frameworks; research fellowships and training for medical students; small island states work programme; small island states development fund; regional tuna tagging; aquaculture; CETC business and livelihood skills; economic impacts of destructive fishing practice; Pacific regional water, sanitation and hygiene programme; private sector small business developers and managers capacity building workshop; pesticide residues in imported foods in the Pacific; and developing tropical cyclone database for the South Pacific region.

Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) agencies including the Pacific Islands Islands Forum Secretariat will coordinate the implementation of the funded projects.

The funds were presented by the Taiwan Suva Trade Mission Representative, Yohani Isqaqavut, to CROP representatives at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

The assistance goes to:

.Fiji School of Medicine (FSMed) - US$51,000
.Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) - US$85,000
.Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) - US$130,000
.Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) - US$186,000
.Secretariat of the Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) - US$35,000
.Secretariat of the Pacific Applied GeoScience Commission (SOPAC) - US$55,000
.University of the South Pacific (USP) - US$123,700

At the 16th Taiwan/Republic of China-Forum Countries Dialogue held in Alofi, Niue on 21st August 2008, Taiwan announced that US$406,000 would be available for regional projects in 2009.


Press Release (Forum Secretariat)