The new Taiwanese ambassador to The Gambia on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, the vice-president and secretary of state for Women’s Affairs, at her office in State House, Banjul.

Ambassador Richard Shih’s visit was geared towards exploring possibilities for more cooperation and to familiarise himself more with high-profile officials of the government as he takes up office as the new plenipotentiary.

Ambassador Shih told GRTS in an interview, shortly after his audience with the vice-president, that the relations between Banjul and Taipei have been growing and expressed the need for it to be further strengthened. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the visit and punched on the theory of bilateral cooperation, saying that Taiwan could also learn a lot from The Gambia’s experience; contrary to the misplaced notion that a developing nation could only be at a receiving end.

Ambassador Shih, who took over office from his predecessor Dr Patrick Chang, expounded on the scope of the cooperation between the countries, which covers education, health, agriculture and infrastructure. The bilateral ties - underpinned by a deep friendship and respect - have culminated into numerous development projects which have yielded multiple benefits for the good of the two countries and their peoples.

He highlighted that a good number of Gambians are currently studying in Taiwan, pursuing various programmes under the frame of bilateral cooperation in education. This, according to him, would help improve the human resource base of the country’s economy, thereby accelerating growth and development.

After presenting his letter of credence to President Jammeh, Ambassador Shih has been meeting with Gambian authorities as part of his immediate priorities. He has already paid a courtesy call on the speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay, during which they discussed a wide ranging pertinent issues revolving aound strengthening relations between the embassy and the legislature.