Tsai attends computer donation ceremony in Paraguay

2016/07/01

President Tsai Ing-wen attended a donation ceremony for notebooks and tablets by Taiwan-headquartered firm AsusTek Computer Inc. June 29 in Guaria, around 180 kilometers southeast of the Paraguayan capital Asuncion.

Tsai, who is visiting the South American nation as part of a nine-day trip to Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic allies Panama and Paraguay, was accompanied at the event by Paraguay’s new Minister of Education Enrique Riera Escudero, ROC Ambassador to Paraguay Alexander Tah-ray Yui and AsusTek’s South American Regional Manager Hsieh Hsiao-min.

“The donation is expected to help bridge the digital divide,” Tsai said while addressing the ceremony at Gral Andres Rodriguez Public School. “I am pleased to see Taiwan’s businesspeople making continuous efforts in their overseas host communities to helping ensure the fair and equal use of digital resources among local people of different socioeconomic backgrounds.

“The spread of information and communications technology resources is crucial for enhancing people’s education, employment and health, as well as guaranteeing access to globalization.”

To date, AsusTek has donated 400 notebooks and tablets to schools at all levels in Paraguay. This has helped strengthen the country’s ICT skills base and boosted Taiwan’s reputation as a leading-edge developer of high-tech products and solutions.

According to Tsai, Taiwan is willing and able to share its digital know-how with the world. “We have set up 101 digital centers in 10 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member states, and it is Taiwan’s pleasure to roll out this digital development program in Paraguay.”

Following the ceremony, the president attended a banquet organized by the Rural Association of Paraguay, expressing an interest in deepening bilateral commercial ties for the benefit of both sides.

“Taiwan and Paraguay are close trade partners,” she said. “We attach great importance to the Paraguayan market and are highly interested in the country’s agricultural products,” adding that she looks forward to promoting joint food processing opportunities.

Later the same day, Tsai was joined by Paraguayan Minister of Agriculture Juan Carlos Baruja on a tour of the feed production factory at National University of Asuncion and the opening of an orchid industry development center, both Taiwan-Paraguay cooperative projects.

Tsai departs Paraguay June 30 and will stopover in the U.S. city of Los Angeles before arriving July 2 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=245941&ctNode=2194&mp=9)