Created by the Singapore-based Impact Investment Exchange (IIX), the Women’s Livelihood Bond Series is a series of debt securities to empower women in Southeast Asia by creating sustainable livelihoods, officials said at the event. From left, International Cooperation and Development Fund Secretary-General Timothy Hsiang, Minister Without Portfolio John Deng, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu and American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen attend a news conference at the Executive Yuan in Taipei yesterday announcing the Women’s Livelihood Bond initiative. “We often describe our relationship with Taiwan with the phrase: ‘Real friends, real progress — zhen pengyou, zhen jinzhan (真朋友，真進展). “We are proud to stand with Taiwan and other like-minded partners to promote, support and foster women’s economic empowerment around the world,” he said. WLB1 raised US$8.5 million, while WLB2 raised US$12 million, they said, adding that the US International Development Finance Corp were among the investors, while Australia provided technical support.

Source: Taipei Times December 14, 2020 15:56 UTC