The primary goal of ROC foreign assistance, and the major aim of TaiwanICDF technical missions, is to use the experience and technology gained during ROC economic development to help host countries achieve self-reliance. The ROC first sent an agricultural team to Vietnam in 1959. The TaiwanICDF currently manages 34 technical missions in 29 partner countries. Technical specialists and missions work in trade and investment development, agriculture, fisheries, floriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, medical services, transport infrastructure and communications.

The TaiwanICDF uses the following principles to guide development and operation of its technical cooperation projects:

Effectiveness and Efficiency
In conjunction with ROC foreign policies, and in light of its overall goal of improving the lives of local inhabitants, the TaiwanICDF strives to achieve maximum social, economic and financial effectiveness in its cooperative foreign assistance endeavors. To fully realize expected benefits, all projects must be efficient and sustainable. All technical mission projects are thoroughly evaluated, and those that are not effective or efficient are reorganized or terminated. In the event of termination, new projects that can effectively promote economic development are planned.

Project Oriented
Because TaiwanICDF technical cooperation work has limited resources, every project must be assessed, planned and implemented as a carefully designed, "projectized" entity. The resulting projects must meet strict appraisal criteria, and their implementation must be carried out under close supervision. Disbursements are not made by lump-sum advance payments but in stages in accordance with the implementation schedule of the project. The TaiwanICDF project cycle model consists of project identification, assessment, approval, preparation, implementation, supervision and evaluation. The TaiwanICDF strives to achieve tangible benefits through this approach.

Accountability
TaiwanICDF technical mission leaders bear responsibility for mission personnel and project results. The TaiwanICDF requires mission heads play all round management and leadership roles, possessing the ability to manage, solve problems and propose corrective measures. Mission leaders employ resource, personnel, process, and work program management techniques. They are also expected to use limited resources flexibly, to obtain the maximum output from the minimum input.

Human Resources Development
To improve the qualifications of mission personnel and hone a younger, more professional team, the TaiwanICDF continually recruits new staff. The TaiwanICDF recruits young people with advanced degrees, and provides them with extensive training and promotion opportunities. The TaiwanICDF has also stepped up in service training for technical mission personnel. Personnel returning to Taiwan on leave must take part in in-service training, to provide them with new knowledge and skills. Mission personnel are also encouraged to take professional and graduate-level courses at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology.

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TaiwanICDF overseas technical cooperation operations must support the ROC's overall diplomatic objectives and bring economic benefit to the people of host countries. Technical cooperation work therefore focuses on the following principles and methods:

-Market Feasibility; Production and Marketing Integration

To ensure tangible benefits, cooperation projects begin with demonstrations and then move on to extension work. Market assessments are performed to determine whether there is actual demand for project output, and to ensure that products are competitive. To establish an integrated production-management approach, Production Marketing Teams are organized, education and training are provided to farmers, and guidance is provided to ensure effective farmers' organizations.

-Small Farmholder Financing

The TaiwanICDF has strengthened its small farmer financing programs. These loan programs and associated projects provide farmers with funds they need at the outset of project work. These projects help farmers extend their efforts by enabling them to purchase production and processing equipment and other materials. Also, by fostering better understanding of basic finances and loan management, the loan programs help farmers establish personal credit.

-Cost Recovery and Sustainability

A basic requirement of all cooperation projects is that they recover their costs. To sustain ongoing operations, the income from one project should be used to fund other projects. By establishing dedicated project accounts, projects can achieve self sufficiency and continue indefinitely. The accounts also allow projects to expand, and provide funding needed for extension work.

-Replication and Extension of Projects

The ultimate goal of TaiwanICDF work is to expand the scope of benefits among the people of host countries. All successful cooperation projects carried out by technical missions are therefore replicated and extended to other regions. Typical examples of this approach include the extension of effective production-marketing projects, or the extension and redesign of the Panama Fishermen's Development Project.

-Identification of Trade and Investment Opportunities

In light of changing economic conditions, focus is gradually being shifted from the traditional areas of agriculture and fishing to trade and investment cooperation.