Top economic planner on US lecture tour

Taiwan's top economic planner left yesterday for Washington for a short lecture tour and a possible meeting with US officials on the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the US and Taiwan.

Chairman of the Council for Economic Planning and Development Hu Sheng-cheng (胡勝正) has been invited by the US-Taiwan Business Council to deliver a speech during the council's annual conference on Taiwan's economy and the role of a US-Taiwan FTA.

In an interview prior to his departure, Hu said he will brief officials and delegates of the US-Taiwan Business Council on Taiwan's economic situation and prospects, as well as give a detailed account of Taiwan's efforts on intellectual property rights protection and the liberalization of telecommunications services.

Hu said he was looking forward to meeting US officials in charge of Taiwan relations and international trade affairs to exchange views on the signing of a US-Taiwan FTA.

However, he declined to disclose which US officials he would be meeting during his visit.

Hu is scheduled to return to Taipei on Friday.