Taipei, July 13 (CNA) Paraguayan President-elect Santiago Pe?a expressed his desire for increased investment from Taiwan, during a meeting with electric vehicle manufacturers in New Taipei Thursday.
Touting Paraguay’s political and economic stability, Pe?a, who will take office in August, urged Taiwanese businesses to explore commercial opportunities in what he described as a favorable investment environment.
Pe?a reiterated his commitment to maintaining and strengthening Asunci?n’s friendship with Taipei, noting that he personally experienced the benefits of the bilateral friendship as a university student in Taiwan.
Addressing concerns about China’s attempts to poach Taiwan’s allies, Pe?a expressed confidence in Paraguay remaining one of 13 states to maintain diplomatic relations with Taipei.
“Undoubtedly, as they continue to suppress Taiwan, we will continue our diplomatic relations with Taiwan,” Pe?a said.
Meanwhile, Master Transportation Chairman Wu Ding-fa (???), who was also present at the meeting, announced that the company plans to transfer its fast-charging electric bus technology to Paraguay.
According to a press release from Master Transportation, the introduction of fast-charging electric buses from Taiwan is expected to make efficient use of Paraguay’s surplus electricity, resulting in a 90 percent reduction in fuel costs for public transport and significant foreign exchange savings for the Paraguayan government, the statement added.
Later on Thursday, Pe?a met with exchange students from the Taiwan-Paraguay Polytechnic University in Asunci?n at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech).
This educational institution, jointly managed by Taiwan Tech and the Paraguayan government, aims to cultivate engineering talents in Paraguay, Taiwan Tech said in a press release.
Under the cooperation, students from the Asunci?n-based university have the opportunity to spend a year and a half studying in Taiwan.
Taiwan Tech said it had welcomed a total of 286 exchange students since Taiwan-Paraguay Polytechnic University was established in 2019.