Case Study 1
ICT Technical Cooperation Project—Belize
Taiwan has built up a catalog of successes in ICT
over the years as can be seen in the country’s dazzling
array of hardware products, software designs and
telecommunications applications. ICT, if integrated into
the activities of overseas development assistance, can
play to Taiwan’s unique advantages and have a key impact
upon development work.
Taiwan’s own process of development began in
the agriculture sector, later progressing to industrial
production and expanding national output through
SME-based trade. However, it was the country’s eventual
expansion into ICT and our key role in global production
that really raised Taiwan’s status to that of a global
economy. This journey has considerable value as a
reference for developing countries today.
More importantly, by integrating Taiwan’s flourishing
private ICT sector into its development work, Taiwan can
echo the trend in the international community of using ICT
to spur development. This way, Taiwan can open up new
opportunities for development aid that can generate a
win-win-win situation for: developing countries, government
actors involved in development aid and those seeking
opportunities in the private sector.
Raising Partners’ Performance and Finding Ways
To Improve Efficiency
In response, MOFA commissioned us to implement
an ICT Technical Cooperation Project in several Central
American and Caribbean nations starting with Belize in
2006. The project helped Belize establish a National ICT
Center that authorities could use as a hub to promote ICT
development, assist in the development of e-government
systems, enhance the effectiveness of governance and
provide convenient public services. At the same time,
the project also promoted training for ICT personnel to
improve administrative efficiency within the Belizean
government and increase national competitiveness. In
terms of the project’s approach to bilateral cooperation,
the initiative was mainly implemented by Belizean
stakeholders with Taiwan providing technical assistance
from the sidelines. The project saw the establishment of
the National ICT Center as well as five other e-government
systems.
Completing Project Transfer, Continuing
Development Through a Second-phase Project
With all objectives completed, the project was
officially handed over to Belize in December. The
National ICT Center and e-government systems are now
being operated independently. We continue to work with
authorities to develop plans for a second phase of the
project, which, among other things, is due to significantly
expand the benefits of Belize’s customs controls through
the development of a database and associated systems
for the Bureau of Standard’s Supplies Control Unit.
This will provide a convenient portal for businesses to
apply for import and export licenses, helping to promote
the flow of goods, reduce price volatility and stabilize
domestic prices.
Building on this success, Belize will also progress to
interfacing with the United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development’s ASYCUDA customs system, working
to international standards and enhancing the accuracy
and efficiency of customs data. In the future, we will build
upon the first stage of the project and continue to assist
Belize to deepen its use of these customs systems.
The National ICT Center in Belize, built with assistance from the TaiwanICDF.
The development of e-government systems and the provision of ICT training
at the center have made the site a hub for the promotion of ICT development.
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