Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Andrea Clare Bowman is finishing her tenure in Taiwan after six years. This Wednesday President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on her and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) praised her contributions to bilateral relations.

Lin stated that Bowman actively promoted economic and trade relations, high-level mutual visits, and cultural exchanges between the nations during her tenure. He said she became an important bridge between the allies, exerting a strong cohesive force for Taiwan’s international participation.

Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines established diplomatic relations in 1981, with Taiwan opening an embassy in 1983, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines opening one in 2019. Bowman was the first ambassador to Taiwan, also assuming dean of the diplomatic corps in 2022.

Foreign Minister Lin pointed out that this year is the 45th since establishing diplomatic ties, and that cooperation has yielded fruitful results in areas ranging from agricultural technology and public health to climate change and adaptation.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) added, “Taiwan and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have extensive cooperation in areas including agriculture, food security, healthcare, infrastructure, ICT, and women’s empowerment.”

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that Taiwan will continue to promote ties with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines through comprehensive diplomacy, strengthening the mutually-beneficial partnership and promoting people’s well-being and sustainable development.