The government is making progress on tackling issues identified in the 2022 Taiwan White Paper produced by the American Chamber of Commerce, the Cabinet-level National Development Council said June 7.
According to the NDC, 30 percent of the issues raised in last year’s edition have been resolved or seen considerable improvement. The government is already making headway on recommendations spanning regulatory practices, energy transition, digital transformation and talent cultivation and retention included in the 2023 report, it added.
In a major milestone, Taiwan and the U.S. signed the first batch of agreements under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade June 1 after a year of negotiations, the NDC said, adding that the accomplishment reflects the fruitful results of Taiwan’s long-standing cooperation with AmCham.
Accepting the latest white paper on behalf of the government, NDC Minister Kung Ming-hsin vowed to continue upholding the principle of transparency and soliciting public participation as the government works to improve Taiwan’s investment environment and regulatory system and establish the country as a role model in the Asia-Pacific.
AmCham also called on Washington to strengthen its partnership with Taiwan by using the ongoing 21st century trade initiative as a springboard to a bilateral trade agreement while launching discussions on double taxation avoidance. Routine visits to Taiwan by high-level U.S. officials and further efforts to urge Taiwan’s participation in international organizations are necessary, it added.
Established in 1951 with over 1,000 members from 500-plus companies, AmCham is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting the interests of U.S. and international businesses in Taiwan. It has published an annual white paper since 1996 to offer suggestions on how to strengthen the local business climate. (POC-E)
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