Chen says `Taiwan Park' in El Salvador is a `viable project'

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday affirmed Taiwan's commitment to construct a "Taiwan Park" in El Salvador during a meeting with Salvadoran Vice President Ana Vilma Albanez de Escobar at the Presidential Office yesterday.

Heading 14-member delegation, Albanez de Escobar, the first female vice president of El Salvador, arrived on Monday in Taipei on a five-day visit, which will include talks on the park. "Taiwan Park" hopes to lure investment from Taiwanese enterprises and ethnic Salvadoran businesspeople in the US.

During the meeting, Chen told the Salvadoran vice president that the plan was not a pipe dream but a viable project.

"Making the `Taiwan Park' a reality was the main purpose of Vice President Annette Lu's (呂秀蓮) trip to Latin America," Chen said.

Delegation

Lu last month traveled to Guatemala and El Salvador as the head of a delegation inspecting the feasibility of establishing a park for industries. Officials hope construction of the park can be completed and operations commence before the conclusion of Chen's term.

"Taiwan is absolutely sincere about assisting El Salvador with the development of its economy," Chen said.

"Aside from encouraging Taiwanese businessmen to invest in El Salvador and helping increase local employment opportunities, I hope that both countries can also form a promotional team seeking the beneficial outcomes of securing investment and furthering economic development," he said.

Greetings

Albanez de Escobar passed on greetings from Salvadoran President Antonia Saca and affirmed El Salvador's diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

In honor of Albanez de Escobar's visit, Lu on Tuesday planted a maquilishuat -- El Salvador's national tree -- in a "Latin Garden" near the Presidential Office to mark 70 years of Taiwan-Salvadoran ties.

Lu national trees from more Central and South American countries would be planted in the "Latin Garden" to signify friendship between Taiwan and its Latin American allies.

During her visit, Albanez de Escobar will meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) and other officials.

In addition, the delegation will visit economic and cultural fixtures, including the National Palace Museum, the Keelung Harbor Bureau and the Taipei World Trade Center, before leaving Taipei today.