Premier Jiang Yi-huah today received the leaders of the World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce (WTCC) and answered their questions about economic development opportunities for overseas Taiwanese businesses returning to the island.
"Since the WTCC was established in 1994, it has served Taiwanese businesses on six continents, assisted economic development in the countries these businesses reside and established numerous important ties for the ROC government, burnishing Taiwan's image abroad," Jiang said. He affirmed the WTCC's achievements and influence, calling it a source of national strength.
When asked about the progress of the construction of the Taoyuan Aerotropolis industrial park, the premier told the delegates the aerotropolis plan achieved major breakthroughs in the latter half of last year, and he personally inspected the site just more than a month ago. "The park will be completed phase by phase without any delay," he assured.
"The aerotropolis and the Port of Taipei are model designs which are expected to create several business opportunities," Jiang added. "The New Taipei City Government has drawn up a plan to create a hinterland for the Port of Taipei. This will attract industries and serve as a base of operations for Taiwanese enterprises returning from abroad."
Asked about the difficulties of obtaining land for returning Taiwanese enterprises and the effectiveness of the Ministry of Economic Affairs' one-stop-service center for these companies, the premier noted that these are the questions he is asked most frequently by the business world. While the one-stop-service center's contributions have been limited so far, the Executive Yuan has made the issue a priority and will provide direction and resolve cross-agency issues in the hopes of bringing about substantial improvement within six months, he said.
Jiang touted the signing of the cross-strait services trade agreement in June and the Agreement Between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Cooperation (ANZTEC) on July 10. The ANZTEC has great significance as it is the first trade pact Taiwan has signed with a country with which it does not have diplomatic relations, he said.
Taiwan will quicken its pace to integrate with the global economy and provide greater opportunities for returning Taiwanese businesses, the premier emphasized.