On November 8, President Chen Shui-bian met with Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco, who led a large visiting group to Taiwan, and expressed his thanks and welcome to the delegation.
In the reception, President Chen praised Governor Blanco as an exceptional female governor. In her two terms as lieutenant governor, she had been committed to promoting tourism in Louisiana, which led to a 40% increase in tourism revenue and created more than 120,000 new jobs. While in her capacity as governor, she has made great achievements in balancing medical resources, improving the state's educational system, and boosting local economy.
President Chen said that Governor Blanco planned to visit Taiwan last year, but the trip was postponed due to the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina. President Chen expressed his blessings and faith in Louisiana's recovery, citing the experience of Taiwan's recovery after the 921 earthquakes in 1999.
President Chen also took the opportunity to express his deepest thanks to Governor Blanco and the people of Louisiana for their staunch support for Taiwan. According to President Chen, Governor Blanco wrote letters, in 2003 and 2004, to Mr. Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Unite States Health & Human Services, expressing her support for Taiwan's participation in the WHO. In addition, with her support, the Louisiana Legislature passed resolutions in 2002 and 2005, respectively, in support of Taiwan's bid to take part as an observer in the WHA and the signing of the Taiwan-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
With regard to the two-way trade, President Chen pointed out that Louisiana is the only state in the southern United States that has an agency in Taiwan, and Taiwan is Louisiana's 11th largest exporting market. Currently, Formosa Plastics Group and Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, two Taiwan-based companies, have invested US$ 1 billion in that state.
In response, Governor Blanco emphasized that Louisiana highly values its relationship with Taiwan, and that Taiwan will surely continue to play an important role in the economic development of Louisiana.