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British businessman makes 100th visit

Peter Kent, who has served for 18 years as chairman of the Taiwan Advisers Group and just completed his 100th trip to Taiwan, gestures during an interview. PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES

For 18 years, Peter Kent has served as chairman of the Taiwan Advisers Group, a private group that counsels the government-run UK Trade and Investment -- and hasn't received any pay for it.

This week, the British citizen made his 100th visit to Taiwan.

"I was not paid for it. I do it for love," said the businessman, who first came to Taiwan in 1979 and is turning 67 next month.

"You need 25 years to accumulate 100 visits," Kent said, laughing.

Also the deputy chairman of the Taiwan Britain Business Council, Kent built a media business in Taiwan 20 years ago, after which his government asked him to help educate others about business opportunities in Taiwan.

At that time, the UK government called Kent "the one-eyed man in the kingdom of the blind."

"Basically, what they were saying is that we don't have any great experience yet of British companies entering this market. We would like you to sell this model to other British interests," Kent said, laughing as he recalled the early years of his work with the UK government.

Kent has had occasion to get to know both President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰), who are now locked in a neck-and-neck campaign for the presidency, with voting only eight days away.

Although Chen does not speak English and Lien does, Kent said he had been equally impressed with both men.

"I did a lot of work with the president when he was the mayor of Taipei," Kent said.

Though Kent carefully avoided getting drawn into any discussions about Taiwanese politics, he said he is optimistic about the prospects for the country's economic development.

"Regardless of the outcome of the election, your fundamental economy has regained its strength, and this will carry it through no matter how the election goes," Kent said.

"This is universally known. There have been a lot of independent assessments of the economy in Taiwan," Kent said.

Whether the election results are deemed good or bad, Kent said, "The economy is so strong that it will resist any impact at all," Kent said.

"That is a very good thing ? As for the outcome, we have no concerns at all," Kent said.

Having participated in several meetings on the ministerial level during this trip, Kent said it had been made very clear to him that there would be no great difference in the attitudes of a Chen or a Lien administration as far as the economy is concerned.

Taiwan's relationship with China has not affected investment in Taiwan either, according to Kent.

"I don't think, in all fairness, [cross-strait relations have] affected our investments," Kent said.

No matter what diplomatic problems may exist between Taipei and Beijing, Kent said, they do not really affect business.

However, he noted that direct links -- transportation, trade and postal service -- between Taiwan and China would certainly help foreign businessmen in Taiwan.

"If you remember the WTO, ultimately you have to have the direct links. You can delay it, but as far as WTO membership is concerned, ultimately you must have direct links. They will come quite quickly," Kent said.

Kent, who was to meet with Koo Chen-fu (辜振甫), chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation, at a reception last night, said he was not going to talk about politics with his long-time friend.

Kent said British businessmen hope to continue being involved in the Taiwanese economy.

"We believe this market and this economy will grow. We wish to grow with it. We are very confident of that," he said.

Arriving here on Sunday and due to leave today, Kent had hoped to venture to Taiwan's highest mountain, Mount Jade, during his visit. However, as usual, his visit was packed with business.

Kent received an award from the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) -- then the China External Trade Development Council (CETRA) -- in 1999.

Queen Elizabeth II made Kent a "Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George" -- a CMG -- in 2001.

"To be honest, I have come back to Taiwan more times than necessary. I have come back here because I am actually very fond of Taiwan. I have a quite wide spectrum of friendship here, which I value," Kent said.
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