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Premier Su Tseng-chang receives warm welcome in Gambia

Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Thursday that Gambia was worthy of its name as "Africa's smiling coast" because its people are so ready to smile and show goodwill and hospitality.

Su said he had immediately gotten that impression upon his arrival in Banjul, the capital of Gambia, to attend the inauguration of re-elected Gambian President Yahya Jammeh on behalf of President Chen Shui-bian.

Su and his entourage received a warm welcome from Gambian Vice President Isatou N'jie-Saidy and many other senior officials and ordinary citizens at Banjul's international airport.

The official welcome ceremony included a number of dazzling song and dance performances. Su said he felt honored to receive a welcome with such great pomp and splendor.

Su said that on his way to his hotel, many Gambian people waved to him.

"I'm impressed by the Gambian people's radiant smiles and kindness," Su told a group of Taiwanese reporters covering his trip.

This is Su's first overseas trip since he assumed the premiership in January.

Brief rest

After a brief rest at his hotel, Su the paid a visit to the embassy in Banjul, where he donated US$35,000 to Gambia for use in AIDS prevention efforts.

After a brief rest at his hotel, Su the paid a visit to the embassy in Banjul, where he donated US$35,000 to Gambia for use in AIDS prevention efforts.

After a brief rest at his hotel, Su the paid a visit to the embassy in Banjul, where he donated US$35,000 to Gambia for use in AIDS prevention efforts.

Gambia's health minister accepted the donation on behalf of his country.

Ambassador to Gambia Chang Pei-chi told Su that relations between the two countries have been firm and cordial since they resumed diplomatic ties in 1995.

Top leaders of the countries have exchanged visits frequently.

President Chen and Vice President Annette Lu have also paid visits to Gambia in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

Gambian President Jammeh vehemently supports Taiwan and bans Gambian officials from having any political contacts with their Chinese counterparts, Chang said.

Noting that Jammeh expects his country to realize the goal of food self-sufficiency by 2015 and become the "Silicon Valley of Africa" by 2020, Chang said that the Embassy exhorts Taiwanese entrepreneurs to invest in Gambia -- particularly in its telecommunications industry -- to help invigorate its economy and shore up bilateral relations.

Tsai Chun-hsiung , head of Taiwan's technical mission stationed in Gambia, said the mission had built tidal irrigation systems in the SAPU riverside region for rice plantation.

"We have successfully developed 1,000 hectares of rice paddies in the area, contributing much to Gambia's rice production," he added.

In addition to transferring farming know-how, Tsai said the technical mission was also endeavoring to spread information about sustainable development in Gambia and help with the formation of farmers' associations to facilitate agricultural processing and marketing.

Future projects

The cooperation projects would expand to aquaculture and digital technology development in the future, he added.

The cooperation projects would expand to aquaculture and digital technology development in the future, he added.

The cooperation projects would expand to aquaculture and digital technology development in the future, he added.

For his part, Su lauded embassy staff and technical mission members for their efforts in relaying the Taiwan people's goodwill, developmental experience and expertise to Gambians.

"Your dedication has helped cement our friendship with our African ally," Su added.

In the evening, Su and his entourage attended a state dinner hosted by Jammeh at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

En route to Banjul, Su and his entourage made a one-hour stop in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for refueling of their chartered plane.