A business opportunity event held by Taiwan and the U.S. kicked off Aug. 31 in Taipei City, underscoring the like-minded partners’ commitment to expanding trade and investment ties.
Hosted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), American Institute in Taiwan and American State Offices Association, the event was attended by 20 U.S. enterprises and the economic development offices of 12 states including Idaho, New Mexico, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, as well at U.S. territory Guam.
High-profile participants included MOEA Deputy Minister Chen Chern-chyi, TAITRA Chairman James C. F. Huang, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and AIT Director Sandra Oudkirk.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chen said that Taiwan-U.S. trade ties are going from strength to strength, citing the second Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue, establishment of the Technology Trade and Investment Collaboration framework, launch of the Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, as well as Google’s increased investment in Taiwan.
In response, Oudkirk said Taiwan is the U.S.’ eighth-largest trading partner and among the ten fastest growing sources of foreign direct investment into the U.S in 2021.
Ducey’s attendance at this year’s event and the planned inauguration of Arizona’s first foreign trade office in Taiwan are expected to help pave the way for advancing bilateral partnership across a broad spectrum of areas including business, technology, security and national defense. (DL-E)
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