ROC captains of industry are set to fly Taiwan’s corporate flag at the first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council meeting of 2013, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jan. 17.
“Tsai Hong-tu, chairman of Cathay Financial Holding Co.; Matthew Miau, chairman of MiTac-Synnex Group, and Cher Wang, chairwoman of HTC Corp., will act as Taiwan’s representatives at the ABAC meeting scheduled for Jan. 20-23 in Manila, the Philippines,” said Catherine Hsu, deputy director-general of MOFA’s Department of International Organizations.
Hsu, who made the remarks at a MOFA news briefing in Taipei City, said the business leaders will discuss four ABAC priority topics with their counterparts from other APEC member economies. These are deepening regional economic integration, promoting infrastructure and sustainable development, upholding development of microenterprises and entrepreneurship, and boosting expansion and integration of the financial market.
ABAC was founded by APEC in November 1995 to offer private sector advice on policy priorities and areas of cooperation. Up to three members from each economy are appointed to the body representing a variety of industries.
Wang, chairwoman of the ABAC women’s forum and APEC working group on finance and economics, will share Taiwan’s experiences on issues such as financial inclusion and women’s empowerment.
Kelly Wu-chiao Hsieh, DIO director-general and Taiwan’s senior APEC official, will meet other ABAC leaders on the sidelines to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and reiterate Taiwan’s commitment to joining the Pacific Rim free trade pact, according to Hsu.
The TPP is a proposed trade agreement comprising negotiating partners Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the U.S. Other nations such as Japan and South Korea are also looking to join discussions on the nascent pact.
Separately, Hsieh is set to lead a delegation comprising Chang Chun-fu, director-general of the Bureau of Foreign Trade, and economic officials to the first APEC Senior Official’s Meeting for 2013 Feb. 6-7 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Participants will exchange views with APEC economy representatives on issues of mutual concern, including achieving sustainable growth with equity and promoting connectivity.
Established in 1989, APEC comprises 21 economies in the Asia-Pacific region, accounting for 40 percent of the world’s population, 54 percent of the world’s gross domestic product and 44 percent of global trade. (JSM)
Write to Rachel Chan at ccchan@mofa.gov.tw