President Chen Shui-bian received Mr. José María Ibáñez, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay, and his wife on October 9. In the reception, President Chen welcomed their visit to Taiwan and promised to strengthen the economic relations between Taiwan and Paraguay. Minister José María Ibáñez came to Taiwan to attend the 15th Economic Cooperation Conference between the ROC and Paraguay and Taiwan's National Day celebrations.
President Chen expressed his thanks to the people of Paraguay for the hospitality he received during his 2nd state visit to Asuncion last May. President Chen also appreciated Paraguayan President Duarte's voicing for Taiwan's bid to join the UN in the UN Assembly this past September.
On the other hand, President Chen said that Taiwan would help Paraguay build up an agricultural commercial center in President Duarte's hometown. He also expressed his hope that the establishment of the Taiwan-Paraguay Industrial Park could be resumed and that Paraguay could provide more incentives to Taiwanese investors and further develop the industrial park into a free trade zone.
Also present at the meeting were Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Ruey-long and Deputy Secretary-General to the President Liu Shyh-fang.