The International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) on November 13, 2024, Ottawa time, signed a cooperation agreement with Développement international Desjardins (DID). The signing ceremony was witnessed by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada Ambassador Harry Tseng, and Haiti’s Minister Counsellor to Canada, Osse Aristild. The TaiwanICDF and DID will jointly implement the project, titled Kwasans, to improve the growth of W-MSMEs in Haiti. Through the agreement, the two parties aim to assist financial institutions in developing inclusive mechanisms and gender-equality policies, enhancing their capacity to provide financial products and services to women start-ups and enterprises. The project, which seeks to promote gender equality and women's economic empowerment, marks the first collaboration between the TaiwanICDF and DID. It demonstrates our firm support for our ally, and aligns with the international community's heightened focus on social issues in Haiti.

TaiwanICDF Secretary-General Yu-lin Huang stated at the signing ceremony that this collaboration represents a significant commitment by Taiwan and DID to supporting Haitian women in their entrepreneurial journey.

DID CEO Gerardo Almaguer said that DID has been deeply involved in the field of inclusive finance in Haiti for many years, supporting women's leadership and assisting communities in building a sustainable, human-oriented ecosystem. DID expects that this project will further DID’s aims in these areas, and bring lasting changes to Haiti.

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) provide 95% of employment opportunities in Haiti. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent turmoil have exacerbated the country’s already challenging socio-economic environment, preventing these MSMEs from fulfilling their economic roles. Women-owned MSMEs, mostly operating in the informal sector, are even more vulnerable as local financial institutions deem them too risky to offer financial services. This situation hinders Haiti's path to a virtuous economic cycle.

The TaiwanICDF and DID will collaborate to assist Haitian financial institutions in rectifying this situation by developing gender-inclusive financial mechanisms and policies. By integrating gender considerations into these institutions' overall operations, the project will enable them to better understand the differentiated needs of female clients and adjust financial products and services accordingly to meet the needs of women-led enterprises. The project will also establish a digital innovation fund to assist financial institutions in launching digital financial products and services, facilitating the delivery of inclusive financial services.

"Kwasans" means "growth" in Haitian Creole. In Haiti, many communities’ economic activities rely on women. In addition to facing threats of social violence, women also endure the impacts of natural disasters like cyclones and earthquakes, which affect their livelihoods. Providing financial support to women boosts household income, revitalizes community economic activities, and injects stability into society.

Desjardins Group, established in 1900, is the largest financial institution in Quebec, Canada, and the largest cooperative financial group in North America. DID is a non-governmental organization founded by Desjardins Group in 1970, dedicated to promoting inclusive finance in developing countries and empowering the disadvantaged.

Related Pictures

no:1picture

no:2picture

• Update: 2024/11/20
• Hits:117