Asian Pacific Business Journal - 2014 March Issue

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Asian Pacific Business Journal

Issue Number 0076

WWW.APBJOURNAL.COM

2014 March Issue

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Taiwan Fast-tracks Regional Integration Drive ROC president Ma Ying-jeou reiterated Taiwan’s determination to expand its participation in regional economic integration Feb. 17, calling on the country’s embassies and representative offices to gear up for promotional effort in this regard.

diplomatic policy, as enhanced economic power will sharpen Taiwan’s national competitiveness.

Strait Trade in Services Agreement as soon as possible. This will send a message to the rest of the world concerning Taiwan’s determination to move ahead on this issue, he added.

“The seminar enables all participants to better understand government planning and private sector commitment to boosting the local econoMOEA Minister Chang Chia-juch said in the my by pursuing further trade liberalization,” Ma past year the government has implemented instiReviving Taiwan’s economy is the top policy said tutional reforms and regulatory easing to bring priority for 2014, with joining the Trans-Pacific the country more in line with the world. Partnership and Regional Comprehensive EcoDescribing the effort as “large formation nomic Partnership a vital part of sustaining na- warfare,” Ma urged all attendees to develop reIn addition, the economic partnership agreetional growth, Ma said. spective roadmaps based on conditions of the ments Taiwan signed with Singapore and New countries in which they are based and engage in Zealand last year span most trade issues covered It is imperative that Taiwan demonstrates to consultations with all relevant parties. by the TPP and RCEP, Chang said, adding that the global community its commitment to develsuch developments show that Taiwan is fully oping into a free trade island, he added. On the domestic front, other than fast-track- prepared to join major trade blocs. (SFC-JSM) ing FEPZ implementation, Ma said he hopes the The president made the remarks during the ROC Legislature will start reviewing the Cross- Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw opening ceremony of a four-day seminar attended by 17 ROC representatives and 16 economic counselors to TPP and RCEP negotiating partners, including Australia, Chile, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and the U.S. Staged at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs in Taipei City, the event is jointly organized by the MOFA and Ministry of Economic Affairs. The seminar features presentations by senior officials and panel discussions with business leaders on Taiwan’s preparation for TPP and RCEP bids, as well as visits to Free Economic Pilot Zones. Premier Jiang Yi-huah and former Vice President Vince C. Siew are both scheduled to take part in the activities. According to Ma, spurring business opportunities for the private sector is a key goal of ROC

ROC welcomes positive US statement on Taiwan’s interest in TPP Kin Moy, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of statement to the committee. He reiterated the state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said welcome in a response to a question from ChairMarch 14 in Washington that the US welcomes man Ed Royce. Taiwan’s interest in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. “Taiwan was the United States’ 12th-largest trading partner in 2013,” he noted in his written The ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs is grati- testimony. The two sides resumed talks under fied by and welcomes Moy’s remarks, which the Trade and Investment Framework Agreecame in both oral and written testimony at a ment (TIFA) last March, and through this platHouse Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on form “have been able to address and resolve U.S. “The Promise of the Taiwan Relations Act.” and Taiwan trade and investment concerns,” he said, adding that issues discussed by the Invest“We are considering Taiwan’s interest in re- ment Working Group have included a Bilateral starting exploratory talks for a Bilateral Invest- Investment Agreement. ment Agreement, and we welcome Taiwan’s interest in the TPP,” Moy said in his written According to his written statement, the U.S.

is also “engaging with Taiwan on the sets of economic liberalization initiatives spurred by President Ma’s New Year Address, as Taiwan evaluates its readiness for and interest in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.” Moy’s positive comments indicate the importance the U.S. attaches to the ROC government’s determination and preparations to join the TPP. The ROC government firmly believes that economic and trade ties with the U.S. will be further strengthened going forward through cooperation based on mutual trust and benefit, and wide-ranging bilateral relations will continue to develop as a strong, enduring partnership.