President Ma Ying-jeou met with Panama’s newly appointed ambassador to Taiwan, Alfredo Martiz, on Friday to accept Martiz’ credentials.
During the meeting, President Ma said that he has visited Panama four times, more than any other Latin American country. Ma was most recently in Panama during July, when he attended the inauguration of Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela.
Ma also praised Panama’s rapid development, and said he hopes that Panama’s ongoing work to widen the Panama Canal will make Panama the transportation hub of Central America. Ma also mentioned Panama City’s newly opened metro system, and offered to share his experiences managing Taipei’s metro system during his term as mayor of Taipei.
President Ma said that a five-year plan for bilateral cooperation which began in 2009 is nearing completion. The plan included culture and education, public health, public safety, and aviation safety. He said that a new plan for 2014-2019 is in the works.
Ma also said that since Taiwan and Panama signed a free trade agreement in 2004, bilateral trade has soared, growing by 72% last year alone with Panamanian exports to Taiwan growing by 532%.