A NEW TECHNICAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN TAIWAN AND SAINT LUCIA WILL PROVIDE MORE THAN $300,000 IN FUNDING TO THE YEA.

A technical agreement between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Saint Lucia was signed at the start of a Business Youth Forum that brought together young people from Taiwan, the Youth Economy and the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.

Chief Executive Officer of Youth Economy, Mr. Peter Leonce, and Chief of Taiwan’s Technical Mission, Daniel Lee, are signatories to the agreement which expands bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Funding provided as part of the agreement will continue the Youth Economy Agency’s Business Training and Mentorship Program.

Student of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Dasha Jules, urged young people to explore available opportunities for realizing their dreams while the youth ambassadors from Taiwan shared best practices on building businesses. One youth ambassador urged local youth to get involved in banana production because it offers viable manufacturing options.

The Youth Forum also created a space where youth were able to interact and bond on a personal level. The engagement was praised by the Minister with responsibility for Youth Development, Hon. Kenson Casimir.

The session was also addressed by Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Hon. Phillip J. Pierre and Ambassador Peter Chen of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Prime Minister Pierre explained that the objective of the Youth Economy is to provide opportunity for all Saint Lucian youth.

To date the YEA has received more than 1000 applicants, trained more than 100 young persons, and disbursed more than 500 grants to various start-ups.

The Taiwan Youth Ambassadors visited Saint Lucia from Sep. 4 to 9, as part of an international cultural exchange program.