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We are Family: TaiwanICDF Joins Hands with Eswatini Women to Realize their Entrepreneurial Dreams
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung on April 22 attended the 57th birthday of Eswatini King His Majesty Mswati III. Lin led a delegation to the African country—one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies—from April 22 to 26.
During the visit, Lin attended the Women's Entrepreneurship Microcredit Revolving Fund Achievement Presentation organized by the Taiwan Technical Mission in Eswatini on April 23. His attendance underscored Taiwan’s ongoing commitment to women’s empowerment and to strengthening its diplomatic partnerships.
In his remarks, the minister had high praise for the operation of the fund, and announced an additional US$500,000 contribution from Taiwan. He expressed hope that this would enable even more micro-entrepreneurs in Eswatini to benefit, and that the increased support for micro, small, and medium enterprises would further contribute to Eswatini’s economic development and social stability. Eswatini’s Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, and Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade Manqoba Khumalo both demonstrated gratitude for Taiwan’s support and the dedicated efforts of the project team. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla accepted the additional US$500,000 contribution on behalf of his government.
The event opened with local youth from the Bulembu community performing the Taiwanese song “You Must Fight to Win,” the lyrics of which embody the determination and resilience of Eswatini’s micro-entrepreneurs. Two women beneficiaries were invited to share how they realized their dreams with the support of the entrepreneurship fund provided by the Taiwan government. They gave their heartfelt thanks to the TaiwanICDF team for their guidance. In a moving finale, beneficiaries and attendees joined in singing the Mandarin-language song “Family,” symbolizing the deep bonds of mutual care and support between the people of Taiwan and Eswatini.
Following the ceremony, a product exhibition was held to showcase the achievements of project participants, featuring yarn crafts, beaded art, produce from small-scale farms (including samples of locally grown dragon fruit and Taiwanese varieties of sweet potato), and products made from straw weaving, wood carving, and leather crafting, demonstrating the creativity of Eswatini’s women entrepreneurs.
The highlight of the event was Minister Lin’s presentation of a Formosan clouded leopard plush toy to a young girl named Taiwan, the daughter of project beneficiary Nomfundo Pertunia Mabuza. Lin wished for Taiwan to grow up as agile, courageous, and surrounded by love and hope, as the leopard symbolizes. The atmosphere was warm and touching. Mabuza, who had joined the TaiwanICDF's Women’s Microenterprise Mentoring and Capacity Building Project in Eswatini, and received microcredit support before giving birth, named her daughter Taiwan in gratitude for the assistance she received.
Since its official launch in March 2024, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Microcredit Revolving Fund—established with a US$1 million donation from the Taiwanese government—has already supported 508 women in Eswatini in starting their own businesses. The cumulative loan amount has reached approximately US$550,000, with a repayment rate close to 100%. The TaiwanICDF looks forward to using the additional funding to help even more women in Eswatini realize their dreams, improve their family livelihoods, and achieve the vision of strengthening diplomatic bonds.
- 更新日期: 2025/04/28
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