A 20-member commercial delegation from Taiwan has visited Ivory Coast on the first leg of an African tour aimed at boosting trade.

The mission arrived in Adibjan last Tuesday (13 April) and on Thursday (15 April) hosted several Ivory Coast government ministers at their exhibition in the capital.

The mission is led by Mr. Franck Tai, administration director of the textile company, Feb Enterprise Limited. Representatives of various industrial organisations from Taiwan, particularly from the fields of textiles and electronics, were on the mission.

The Taiwanese are aiming to promote lucrative African markets as they have managed to do in Europe. After five days in Ivory Coast the mission left on Sunday (18 April) for Liberia and Senegal.

SYNOPSIS: The Tiama Hotel in Abidjan -- venue for the Taiwanese trade exhibition. Taiwan's Ambassador in the Ivory Coast, Mr. Bernard Joei welcomed several government ministers to the exhibition.

The trade mission consists of 20 member led by Mr. Franck Tai, a textile industrialist from Taiwan. Representatives of several industries are taking part, particularly from the fields of electronics and textiles.

The Taiwanese are hoping to find lucrative African markets for their exports. They have been successful in doing this in Europe.

The trade mission was in Abidjan for five days. It left on Sunday for Senegal and will then go on to Liberia. A full exhibition of manufactured samples -- including clothing, household goods, footwear, jewellery and electronic equipment -- is transported with the delegation.