The Office of Trade Negotiations under the Executive Yuan officially commenced operations Sept. 20 in Taipei City, underscoring the commitment of the government to boosting Taiwan’s economy while consolidating efforts aimed at ensuring the nation takes part in regional trade blocs.
The office’s key policy goals are promoting Taiwan’s participation in economic integration through bilateral and multilateral talks; coordinating public and private sector strengths in advancing global trade and economic cooperation; reforming relevant laws and regulations; and improving economic fundamentals via international negotiations and partnerships, according to the Executive Yuan.
At a foreign trade strategy meeting held Sept. 19, President Tsai Ing-wen said the office represents a central plank in her administration’s policy of revitalizing Taiwan’s economy. “Addressing new trends in global trade, reorganizing the government’s negotiating team and better utilizing human resources are the top priorities for the office.”
The office is headed by Minister without Portfolio Deng Chen-chung, who also serves as chief negotiator. His deputies are Javier Ching-shan Hou, deputy minister of foreign affairs, Wang Mei-hua, vice minister of economic affairs, and one more senior official to be appointed by Premier Lin Chuan. The majority of office staffers comes from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which is responsible for facilitating interagency cooperation.
According to the Executive Yuan, the office’s first tasks include representing Taiwan in talks on the Trade in Services and Environmental Goods agreements under the World Trade Organization, as well as spurring implementation of the government’s New Southbound Policy and completing preparatory work for Taiwan’s inclusion in the second round of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
The New Southbound Policy aims to create fresh economic impetus, deepen trade and cultural links with Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, South Asia nations, Australia and New Zealand, and ensure all segments of society share in long-term prosperity. It also helps prepare Taiwan to quickly adjust to changing global conditions and the trend toward regional economic integration exemplified by trade blocs like the TPP and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. (KH-E)
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