Taipei: A trade promotion office to be launched under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will serve as a platform to build public-private cooperation and create business opportunities with Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, the diplomat in charge of the project told CNA on Wednesday.

According to Focus Taiwan, the project, called the “Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Economic and Trade Office,” was first announced by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung on Monday. However, Lin offered few details of what it would entail. The head of MOFA’s Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs, Yeh Chih-che, explained that the office will be modeled on the Central America Trade Office (CATO) and aimed at promoting economic development among Taiwan’s allies.

Founded in 1997 and funded by MOFA, CATO regularly holds national and international trade shows, and organizes trade, investment, tourism, and cultural promotional events to support Taiwan’s allies in the Central American region. Yeh mentioned that Lin has prai
sed CATO for fulfilling its mission over the past three decades, focusing on providing services to Guatemala and Belize, Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies in Central America.

Lin’s vision for the new office is to complement and expand CATO’s services to allies and like-minded partners in the South Pacific and Africa. Once operational, likely in the second half of 2026, the new office will serve as a one-stop service platform between MOFA and private-sector entities seeking to invest in allied countries, primarily providing administrative support.

The office will assist private companies with marketing and promotion in those countries and also serve as a liaison between Taiwan’s embassies and representative offices and local governments. Lin announced the establishment of the office to coordinate private-sector initiatives under the administration’s Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project.

Launched in May 2024 after Lin took office, the project aims to deepen substantive relations with allies through concre
te development initiatives. The Republic of China, Taiwan’s formal name, is currently recognized by 12 countries around the world.