President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen is also expected to announce food aid to Swaziland, the fourth and final stop on the president's tour of Africa.
PHOTO: CNA
Chen and his delegation were scheduled to arrive in Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland, yesterday.
During his visit, the president is expected to make donations to help alleviate the country's food shortage, visit the Matsapha industrial zone and address Taiwanese business leaders.
Chen bid farewell to Malawi's President Bakili Muluzi around noon yesterday.
Swaziland's H.M. King Mswati III was expected to greet Chen at the airport with a military reception and performances by traditional dancers.
At Taiwan's embassy in Swaziland, Ambassador George Chang (
According to Chang, drought has led to a poor harvests for the past two years. In an estimated six months' time, roughly 150,000 people will face hunger and Swaziland is in urgent need of 188,000 tonnes of corn.
The country, which has applied for aid to the UN World Food Program, should be able to receive help before next year's harvest, Chang said.
In addition, the ambassador noted that an expansion project at a cargo harbor for the Matsapha industrial zone -- which was funded by Taiwan -- has been completed.
On May 17, King Mswati held an opening ceremony at the harbor to thank Taiwan for its support.
"Apart from thanking the Taiwanese government for its assistance, he also said the new facilities would increase the volume of export and import goods handled by the harbor and would strengthen the connection between Swaziland and other countries," Chang said. "This in turn will help attract foreign investors."
Prior to his departure from Malawi, Chen and Muluzi co-hosted a symposium on economic and trade relations between Taiwan and Malawi.
Chen said Taiwan would continue its cooperation with Malawi, which is still a developing country.
Taiwan was also once a poor nation, Chen said, but its people worked hard and diligently so that Taiwan could eventually stand on its own two feet and move forward. Chen said the purpose of his visit was to show his concern for the people of Taiwan's African allies and offer Taiwan's experience.
"I believe that if the people of Taiwan can do it, so can the people of Malawi," Chen said.
"As long as the people of the two nations unite, we will overcome poverty and eliminate disease."
The president noted that eight Taiwanese companies have invested in Malawi, creating more than 7,000 jobs.
The largest two companies are clothing factories.
The two heads of state then signed a joint communique. In his farewell statement, Chen said Taiwan would continue to support Malawi's efforts to improve the well-being of its people.
"I am confident that this visit constituted a big step forward in enhancing our cordial and cooperative relations," Chen said.
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