Taiwan's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will benefit the most from the Cross-Strait Agreement on Trade in Services, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said after visiting exhibition services provider Uniplan Taiwan Corp. in Taipei.
While some have argued that the services pact only helps big businesses, Jiang stated that in fact SMEs are the accord's greatest beneficiaries.
"I am certain that after intimate exchange and communication, everyone will more calmly and objectively evaluate the short- and long-term advantages of this agreement for Taiwan," he said.
The exhibition industry is at the head of the services industries and an important link in the innovation economy, and the cross-strait services agreement is a very important opportunity for it, the premier emphasized after visiting Uniplan.
"The mainland market is huge," he said. "While its exhibition industry is very interested in Taiwan, the Taiwanese exhibition industry absolutely would not lose to mainland China's.
"With this accord, the domestic industry could strike first by entering the mainland market. Meanwhile, we could invite mainland investment in Taiwan, which would create domestic employment opportunities. This demonstrates the limitless potential of the services industries."
"The government will continue to use tax credits and grants to encourage innovative research and development and make Taiwan an investment paradise for global businesspeople as well as the best location to hold major international conferences and exhibitions," the premier affirmed after visiting Sporton and Uniplan.
"The exhibition industry is closely connected with people's lives," he remarked. "Many Taiwanese have attended expos, such as those for information and communications technologies, machine tools, books, travel and design. These events display the most innovative and forward-looking concepts and products from around the world, and bringing them to our country gives Taiwanese companies the best possible opportunities for observation."
Uniplan was the first international exhibition company among the overseas Taiwanese businesses approved for investment by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) Investment Commission. It has branches in both Europe and Asia.
The premier was accompanied to Uniplan's facilities by Executive Yuan Deputy Secretary Chien Tai-lang and MOEA Deputy Minister Francis Kuo-hsin Liang. They were briefed there on Uniplan's services and interacted with its employees.