Taipei - President Alvaro Colom of Guatemala, one of the 23
countries which recognize Taiwan, is set to arrive in Taipei Tuesday
evening as the island is trying to cement ties with its allies.
Colom will visit for four days and attend Taiwan's National Day
celebrations on October 10. He will hold talks with President Ma
Ying-jeou on strengthening ties and receive an honorary degree
from the Chinese Culture University, the ministry said.
Colom will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Roger Haroldo
Rodas and other Guatemalan officials and reporters.
Coinciding with Colom's visit, a Guatemalan trade delegation
arrived in Taipei Monday.
The delegation consists of representatives of the Central
American country's wood processing, chan seeds, medicine, seafood and
coffee industries. Guatemala is one of Taiwan's leading suppliers of
coffee beans.
On Wednesday afternoon the foreign ministry will hold a seminar
at the Grand Hotel in Taipei to promote investment in Guatemala,
attended by the trade delegation and they will also meet with
potential Taiwan investors in Taipei, Kaohsiung and
Taichung.
Guatemala is one of the 23 mostly-small nations which recognize
Taiwan, and half of these allies are in Latin America and the
Caribbean.
Colom is the only foreign head of state attending Taiwan's
National Day celebrations.
Taiwan has invited 171 foreign guests, including vice foreign
minister of Honduras, Eduardo Federico Rosales Ramírez, to the
celebrations.
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