President Ma was in Tegucigalpa on Wednesday to attend the presidential inauguration of Porfirio Lobo Sosa, and made the promise during his meeting with President Lobo.

President Lobo asked President Ma Ying-jeou if it were possible for Taiwan to provide computers for Honduran school children. In response, President Ma said Taiwan has assisted some member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum under an APEC Digital Opportunity Center (ADOC) program, which offers not only hardware equipment, but also educational training. Although Honduras is not an APEC member, President Ma said Taiwan would be able to offer Honduras similar assistance.

President Lobo also mentioned Taiwan’s “one town, one product” agricultural aid program for its diplomatic allies, emphasizing that Honduras wants to learn from Taiwan’s experience in agricultural development, and looks forward to attracting investment from Taiwan. In response, President Ma stated that Honduras is welcome to send personnel to Taiwan to present a concrete development project for assessment. It might be possible, he added, for Taiwan to send experts to Honduras to conduct a feasibility study on development projects proposed by Honduras.

President Ma Ying-jeou also suggested that Honduras create a favorable investment climate, including tax incentives, quality labor and convenient infrastructure, to attract Taiwanese investors.

President Ma issued a statement recognizing Honduras’ efforts to elect a new president by peaceful means following months of political turmoil. President Ma promised that Taiwan will assist with Honduras’ development in the hope of forming strategic partnerships.

He is one of the three foreign heads of state to have attended Porfirio Lobo Sosa’s inauguration.