Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) said yesterday the government’s plan to enhance cross-strait industrial cooperation would create a win-win scenario for both sides.
“Combining R&D excellence in Taiwan with a strong manufacturing base in mainland China has been a formula for success for many of Taiwan’s businesses ... Going forward, we expect Taiwan to continue to leverage on its strengths in these areas,” Liu said at a forum in English.
The forum organized by the UBS (Union Bank of Switzerland) invited Liu to deliver a luncheon speech titled “The Prospects for Taiwan’s Economy: Making Preparations for the Recovery.”
Citing the program that has been implemented since last year to increase economic cooperation between Taiwan and China in key industries, Liu said that both sides would engage in “joint development, joint production, joint marketing and joint strategic investment.
“We have initiated several cross-strait discussion groups in areas such as solar panels, automobile electronics, airline, textiles and communications with more to come,” Liu said.
He added that Taiwan was “on the right path” and “well positioned to benefit when we enter into recovery.”
During his speech, the premier said it was important that Taiwan be part of regional economic zones, such as the Eurozone, the Americas and Asia.
“An important criterion here is the establishment of economic cooperation. Both the WTO and the APEC are existing platforms in which we will continue our active participation. But we will also be seeking normalizing economic relations with mainland China as well as signing free trade agreements with important trading partners such as the US, Japan and ASEAN countries,” Liu said.
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