Taipei - President Alvaro Colom of Guatemala, one of the 23 countries which recognize Taiwan, is set to arrive in Taipei Tuesday evening as the island is trying to cement ties with its allies. Colom will visit for four days and attend Taiwan's National Day celebrations on October 10. He will hold talks with President Ma Ying-jeou on strengthening ties and receive an honorary degree from the Chinese Culture University, the ministry said.
Colom will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Roger Haroldo Rodas and other Guatemalan officials and reporters.
Coinciding with Colom's visit, a Guatemalan trade delegation arrived in Taipei Monday.
The delegation consists of representatives of the Central American country's wood processing, chan seeds, medicine, seafood and coffee industries. Guatemala is one of Taiwan's leading suppliers of coffee beans.
On Wednesday afternoon the foreign ministry will hold a seminar at the Grand Hotel in Taipei to promote investment in Guatemala, attended by the trade delegation and they will also meet with potential Taiwan investors in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung.
Guatemala is one of the 23 mostly-small nations which recognize Taiwan, and half of these allies are in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Colom is the only foreign head of state attending Taiwan's National Day celebrations.
Taiwan has invited 171 foreign guests, including vice foreign minister of Honduras, Eduardo Federico Rosales Ramírez, to the celebrations.
