New TAITRA chairman unveils fresh strategy

2014-09-12

The chairman of Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), Francis Liang, revealed a new three-pronged strategy at his inauguration Sept. 10 in Taipei City.

A former Cabinet advisor and deputy economics minister, Liang said TAITRA will benefit from a fresh approach to global trade by adapting to changes in domestic and international markets.

“TAITRA will work on plans to reinforce Taiwan’s competitiveness in the booming global e-commerce field. At the same time, it will step up investment in exporting Taiwan’s success in the services sector, which accounts for about 70 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product.”

Emerging markets targeted by TAITRA for further expansion include Brazil, India, Mexico and Turkey, in addition to African nations and Association of Southeast Asian Nations members, Liang said. He added that the council will continue to facilitate the growth of Taiwan’s bilateral trade with mainland China, as the economy is Taiwan’s largest trading partner and one of the most important markets in the world. 

Minister of Economic Affairs Duh Tyzz-jiun and Liang’s predecessor at TAITRA Wang Chih-kang were present at the inauguration. Duh praised Wang’s efforts to build the global image of made in Taiwan products while boosting the presence of local businesses across the strait during his six-year term. Wang will continue to lend his expertise as TAITRA’s senior advisor.

Duh expects Liang, who has played a critical role in Taiwan’s multilateral trade negotiations in recent years, to build on Wang’s achievements and take TAITRA to new heights.

Liang is scheduled to make his first overseas visit as TAITRA head to the Taiwan trade fair Sept. 19-22 in Nanjing, mainland China.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=221503&CtNode=413)