Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Ruey-long (
Chen said that the ministry will make use of the time before the opening of the talks to coordinate with government agencies and make an overall assessment to establish the government's stance for the talks to obtain the best outcome for the nation.
According to Chen, Taiwan will focus on four issues -- agriculture, non-agricultural market access (NAMA), the service industry, and trade facilitation.
Chen is in Geneva after attending an annual meeting in Zurich of the EVIAN Group -- an association of elite members in political and business communities in major countries.
During his stay in Geneva, he discussed the July package with Taiwan's mission to the WTO, called on WTO General Council chairperson Shotaro Oshima as well as permanent representatives from Australia and South Korea.
Chen noted that the passage of the July package by the WTO is a major breakthrough, but the next stage of substantial talks will come early next year at the soonest. During the interval, the ministry and Taiwan's mission to the WTO will work closely to establish their stance for future talks, he added.
Of the four issues that Taiwan is most concerned about, Chen wouldn't deny that agriculture will be impacted, and that the nation will have to make adjustments to brace for future developments. As for the other three issues, they will help Taiwan's trade development.
NAMA is of course beneficial to Taiwan, Chen said, noting that the government hopes that the trade in industrial products will be further liberalized and that more markets will open to create more trade opportunities.
He also said that the service sector presently accounts for 67 percent of Taiwan's GDP. He is hoping that the service sector will become more international.
Chen also said that Taiwan has great potential for development in the areas of transportation, telecommunications, finance, information and technology, as well as tourism.
Chen is scheduled to leave Geneva for home today.
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