The Central America Trade Office was established in 1997 with the aim of promoting and furthering bilateral relations, business cooperation and investment development, as well as providing other services pertinent to trade between Taiwan and its diplomatic allies in Central America (including Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua y Panama).

The Central America Trade Office was created taking into consideration the needs of the embassies of the diplomatic allies of Central America in Taiwan and abides by the laws of the government of the Republic of China in accordance with the “Work Program on Strengthening Economic and Trade with Central American Countries,” whose main goals are the promotion of bilateral relations and strategic alliances as well as helping Taiwanese businesses invest and establish themselves in the Central American diplomatic ally countries, thereby making CATO the matchmaker and the bridge between Taiwan and Central America.

Función y Meta de la Oficina de Comercio de Centro América

• Starting in 1999 under the supervision of the CATO Board of Directors formed by the then five Central American embassies in Taiwan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China, the accession of a new member to CATO, Belize, was not only a great achievement but also contributed to the efforts of its Board of Directors in its goal of promoting economic development and reinforced the trade, economic, and diplomatic relations between the Republic of China and the five Central American countries.
• Under the supervision and support of its Board of Directors, CATO collects and maintains the most up-to-date information about products, investment, and tourism in Central America and provides this valuable information to companies in Taiwan.
• CATO holds forums on trade and investment in order to provide information about the advantages of investing and the business opportunities in its six Central American member countries. In addition, CATO actively participates in exhibitions and trade shows in order to promote Central America’s products as well as its flourishing tourism industry.
• CATO helps Taiwanese companies who wish to invest in Central America through the search of opportunities of mutual cooperation with local companies. The office also collaborates with the creation of a satellite system between the Central American export processing zones in order to create job opportunities and increase foreign exchange reserves at the local level.

Funciones Principales

1. Provide information related to economic and trade activities in Central America as well as advantages for investment and tourism in the region.
2. Organize various types of activities aimed at promoting the products, business and investment opportunities, and tourism resources of Central America.
3. Help Central American exporters in their search for importers in Taiwan.
4. Help Taiwanese exporters in their search for importers in Central America.
5. Help Taiwanese companies who wish to invest in Central America with their planning and investment.
6. Facilitate business negotiations between Taiwanese companies and Central American companies visiting Taiwan.
7. Promote de strategic alliances and investment cooperation between Taiwanese and Central American companies.
8. Cooperate with government, industry, and other relevant sectors in order to further all matters pertaining to the economy and trade of Central America.