Taiwan and Australia inked a pact on agriculture cooperation March 3, underscoring the government’s commitment to boosting bilateral exchanges while deepening trade relations between the two sides, according to the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture.
The agreement was signed by Chen Junne-jih, deputy minister of the COA, and David Hazlehurst, deputy secretary of Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment during a virtual conference. It promises bilateral investment and technological exchanges while fostering interaction between businesses and experts in the agricultural sector.
According to the COA, the accord follows a memorandum of understanding reached in 2001 regarding the agricultural business cooperation. One recent example is the deal struck last year to send decrowned pineapples to Australia, the COA said, adding that the first batch will be shipped in May.
Other achievements under the MOU included a bilateral organic equivalency arrangement in 2020, a program to grow Taiwan-cultivated lychees in Queensland in 2019 and a further MOU concerning food safety in 2012.
The government will continue working with Australia to stage regular official meetings, academic forums, business visits and matchmaking activities, the COA said, adding that the two sides expect to work closely on building an efficient, reliable and robust agricultural supply chain going forward.
Australia is one of the countries targeted by the New Southbound Policy, a key plank in the government’s national development strategy since Tsai took office in 2016. The farsighted initiative seeks to deepen Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with Down Under alongside those with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries and New Zealand. (YCH-E)
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