Trade trips seek to boost Taiwan business abroad

Taiwan will send six export-promotion delegations abroad before the year-end, and the first delegation left yesterday for Southeast Asia.

The 50-member delegation, led by Minister of Economic Affairs Minister Lin Hsin-yi (林信義), flew to the Philippines, the first leg of the two-week four-nation tour.

"After the Philippines, they will visit Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia," said Lee Chien-hung from the China External Trade Development Council (CETRA, 外貿協會).

The delegation will hold talks with Filipino officials on trade, investment, tourism, economic cooperation, cooperation in science/technology and farming/fishery.

"By sending out delegations, we hope to boost growth," said Lee, organizer of the promotion tours.

In June and ensuing months, CETRA will dispatch one export-promotion delegation each month. They will visit Japan, the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.

Lin will meet his Philippine counterpart and businessmen in a visit that could provoke complaints from China.

Lin, traveling with 26 other Taiwanese economic officials, plans to meet Philippine Trade Secretary Mar Roxas for an annual conference aimed at expanding economic ties.

Lin is also leading more than 60 Taiwanese businessmen looking for investment opportunities in the Philippines. He will return home Saturday.

"The purpose of the joint ministerial conference, of course, is to look for better economic ties between the two countries, trade, investment and whatever possible cooperation," said Benjamin Lo (羅致遠), head of Taiwan's de facto embassy in Manila.