More trade pacts to be signed on back of ECFA
By Freesun News at 19 September, 2009, 6:37 pm
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Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang expects the signing of a proposed cross-strait ECFA to clear the way for more trade pacts with regional neighbors. (CNA) |
A greater emphasis is to be placed on Taiwan’s global economic integration through signing free trade agreements with major trading partners, according to Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang Sept. 17.
The move is seen as building on MOEA efforts to ink a proposed economic cooperation framework agreement with mainland China. “Not only will ECFA strengthen our economic ties with China, it is also key to Taiwan’s connection with the world market,” Shih said.
The minister said the primary goals of the MOEA are Taiwan’s economic revival and post-Typhoon Morakot reconstruction, adding that enhancing bilateral trade relations with “friendly nations” is also a priority.
According to MOEA officials, Singapore is most likely to be the first country Taiwan strikes an FTA with once signing the ECFA. Although no formal diplomatic relations exist between the two nations, they enjoy close cultural and trade ties.
“It is unlikely that other countries will give us a cold shoulder once we sign an ECFA with China,” said MOEA Deputy Minister Lin Sheng-chung. “Singapore, Australia and New Zealand have all shown interest in knowing more about ECFA talks between Taipei and Beijing.”
Other potential partners in the MOEA’s sights include European Union members, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the United States. At present, Taiwan has FTAs with five Central American diplomatic allies—El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.
Lin said that Huang Chih-peng, director-general of the MOEA’s Bureau of Foreign Trade, will meet with Tang Wei, director-general of the mainland Ministry of Commerce’s Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau Affairs, at the Taiwan Trade Fair in Nanjing. “Huang and Tang will exchange opinions in an unofficial meeting on whether to launch formal ECFA consultations in October,” he added. (LS-JSM)
Source： Economic Daily News
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