Taipei, Aug. 17 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) expressed his satisfaction on Monday with the current development of relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Guatemala as the Central American country's new ambassador presented her credentials at the Presidential Office on Monday.

Speaking at a ceremony to honor the new ambassador, Olga Maria Aguja Zuniga, the president said the two nations have maintained cordial relations since establishing diplomatic ties 80 years ago and have had frequent exchanges in different sectors over the years.

Economic ties are on the upswing, Ma said, pointing to 30 percent growth in bilateral trade to US$160 million in 2014 and Taiwan's investment in Guatemala growing to US$43 million, creating more than 1,400 jobs in the country.

The president extended a warm welcome to the new Guatemalan envoy and hoped that bilateral ties between the two nations will be further strengthened during her tenure in Taiwan.

Ma said he was pleased to learn that Aguja participated in a study program in Taiwan in 2013 sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that her daughter obtained a master's degree in civil engineering from National Cheng Kung University in Tainan through a scholarship from Taiwan's International Cooperation and Development Fund.

Ma also expressed his gratitude for the support that Guatemala has shown Taiwan in the international arena, including backing Taiwan's bid to participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The Guatemalan diplomat arrived in Taiwan on July 14 to take up her new position.

(By Hsieh Chia-chen and Romulo Huang)
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