Premier Sean Chen announced on August 11 that he will lead a Cabinet-level task force on promoting Taiwan's free trade agreement (FTA) and economic cooperation agreement negotiations with foreign trade partners, adding that the unit will deploy new strategies to meet the needs of Taiwan's businesses. The premier has directed government agencies to reorganize the task force to make it more adaptable to changing economic conditions.
Premier Chen made the announcement at the first of a series of symposiums on financial and economic issues. In response to business leaders' call for the government to set up a strategic committee to promote FTAs, Chen said the Executive Yuan already has a task force headed by the vice premier that deploys strategies on international economic and trade alliances. But because of the growing importance attached to the task force's functions, the premier has decided to lead it himself. Chen invited industrial and business representatives to serve as government consultants for FTA negotiations.
Several days ago in response to questions from the media, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis said that each country has to judge for itself whether it is ready to meet the high standards of membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Premier Chen noted that Taiwan should be well-prepared on this front and hoped that local businesses can help the government shoulder some of the burden of such preparation.
During the symposium, Premier Chen also directed agencies to work out issues of land availability, work force supply and water resources in order to make Taiwan more attractive to foreign investors.
To develop emerging markets, the premier asked the Ministry of Economic Affairs to map out a new distribution of export destinations, tap into different markets and diversify sales channels. The Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) were instructed to come up with systematic, organized programs to train personnel for such endeavors. The premier offered an example with MOE and MOFA scholarships for students from emerging countries: if the plans are mapped out based on students' nationality, specialty or occupation, the students can later become a vital force in Taiwan's efforts to develop emerging markets.
Concerning business deregulation, Premier Chen suggested that companies make good use of the Center for Economic Deregulation and Innovation under the Council for Economic Planning and Development, where businesses can provide input on easing laws and making Taiwan more business friendly.
As for building "backbone industries," the premier said the government is actively working to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises by helping them obtain core technologies and develop self-owned brands.
Saturday's symposium focused on the theme of international trade. Premier Chen and heads of ministries and agencies responded to queries and recommendations from industrial and commercial leaders. In attendance were 22 representatives from six groups including Chairman Hsu Sheng-hsiung of the Chinese National Federation of Industries, Chairman Chang Pen-tsao of the General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China, Vice Chairman Chang Nelson An-ping of the Chinese National Association of Industry & Commerce, Taiwan, as well as three representatives from industrial parks including President Tzai Tu-chin of the Manufacturers United General Association of Industrial Park of ROC.
The Executive Yuan will hold the second symposium on August 18, to center on energy policies.