After hearing the Ministry of Economic Affairs' (MOEA) report today on augmenting trade relations with Southeast Asian countries, Premier Jiang Yi-huah directed the ministry to expedite new measures, turn ideas into action, and integrate resources from other ministries. The premier also instructed the MOEA to work with the Ministry of Education and the Council of Labor Affairs to develop a comprehensive understanding of countries in this region.
Southeast Asian nations have always been important trade and investment partners to Taiwan because of their geographical location, culture, and abundant labor and natural resources, said Jiang. As European and U.S. economies continue to struggle and mainland China faces development bottlenecks, Southeast Asia has emerged as an attractive market for investors around the world.
According to the MOEA, Southeast Asia has performed considerably well despite the global economic slowdown. To seize these opportunities and boost Taiwan's exports, the MOEA will continue to implement its Southeast Asian trade policies, utilize diverse marketing tools and help local businesses tap into this burgeoning market.