Paraguay is Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in South America. After establishing diplomatic ties in 1957, the two countries have maintained a firm friendship for about 66 years. Although Taiwan and Paraguay are geographically far apart, the two countries have a close and friendly cooperative relationship. Taiwan Sugar Corporation also maintains close collaboration with Paraguay in related business areas in alignment with national policies, fulfilling its responsibilities as a state-owned enterprise and supporting the government in advancing diplomatic efforts.
Taisugar's Agriculture Business Division has extensive experience in orchid cultivation and has been committed to sharing Taiwan's agricultural technology and management experience with international peers to promote the sustainable development of agriculture. Since its participation in 2019 in the International Cooperation and Development Foundation (ICDF)'s Paraguay Orchid Commercial Production Guidance Program to assist Paraguay in developing the local Phalaenopsis industry, a number of important results have been successfully achieved, including assistance and establishment of a production and sales business model, personnel training and technology development.
During the implementation of the plan, Taiwan Sugar Corporation sent technical consultants to the local area to guide local businesses in production and cultivation techniques, helping Paraguay's first private investment company, Floricultura del Paraguay S.A., to engage in commercial production of Phalaenopsis, and the greenhouse construction was completed and production operations started in 2022. We also supported the holding of multiple marketing exhibitions and sales to successfully introduce Phalaenopsis. This not only enriched the local flower market, but also brought new economic opportunities to Paraguay.
In the face of the challenges of globalization, agricultural professionals need to constantly improve themselves and learn the latest technology and management experience. In 2024, under the framework of agricultural technology cooperation between the two governments, TSC’s Precision Agriculture Business Division arranged a 24-day internship course in Taiwan to assist in training two technicians from Paraguayan Flower Company in orchid cultivation management, and gain an in-depth understanding of various aspects of orchid greenhouse cultivation, such as greenhouse environment control, water quality management, fertilizer application, pest and disease control, and other technologies. This field operation opportunity not only helped them to have a deeper understanding of the technical details of orchid cultivation, but also helped Paraguayan agricultural professionals better cope with local challenges, improve the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production, and inject new impetus into local orchid production.
In order to strengthen business cooperation with Taiwan Sugar Corporation and promote the continued growth of trade between the two sides, Ambassador Carlos José Fleitas R. of the Embassy of the Republic of Paraguay in the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Minister of Industry and Commerce Francisco Javier Giménez visited the Taipei office of Taiwan Sugar Corporation on the morning of May 7 and May 22, 2024, respectively. During the talks, both parties designated contact windows for each other to facilitate subsequent exchanges and discussions on cooperation matters. Taiwan Sugar Corporation will also conduct a feasibility assessment of the cooperation projects proposed by Paraguay. We look forward to more opportunities for exchanges and cooperation in the future to continue the firm friendship between the two countries.
