As part of his engagements in his first state visit to The Gambia, the president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Ma Ying-jeou Thursday visited the Banjulinding Women’s Garden, the Kanilai Family Farms in Farato and the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) office in Brikama.

He was accompanied on the visit by the vice president and minister of Women’s Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy and Cabinet ministers .

The visit started at the Banjulinding Women’s Garden, which is largely supported by the government of Taiwan. President Ma and VP Njie-Saidy inspected the activities of the women in the garden before proceeding to the Kanilai Family Farms in Farato, which has among its activities, animal rearing and farming.

The delegation later visited NARI in Brikama, and met its director-general, Dr Babou Jobe. Speaking to journalists shortly after the Taiwanese leader’s visit, Jobe extolled Banjul-Taipei ties, describing the two countries as intimate brothers. He added that the partnership between the two countries has been mutually beneficial to both sides.

President Ma is scheduled to visit the Naval Fleet (Patrol Boats) at the Port of Banjul today and later proceed to the Gambia National Museum and the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH), where he will be briefed by the minister of Health and Social Welfare, Fatim Badjie, on the medical cooperation between The Gambia and Taiwan. He will also visit the MRI machine building in the Hospital before going to the Embassy of Taiwan in Bakau, where he will also conduct an inspection.

President Ma is also scheduled to visit the newly inaugurated Taiwan Culture Centre at the Gambia National Petroleum Company (GNPC) building long the Bertil Harding highway in Kanifing and later have a private dinner with the Taiwanese community in the country. He will inspect the McKay Memorial Hospital Medical service tomorrow at the Serrekunda Hospital before going to State House, where he will have a tête-à-tête with the Gambian leader before the signing of a joint communiqué. The Taiwanese leader will wrap-up his visit with a trip to Ming-Daw School in Farato.