Taiwan donates to WTO standards development fund

2015-02-03

A three-year, US$240,000 commitment by Taiwan to support the World Trade Organization’s Standards and Trade Development Facility was announced Jan. 30 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Under the initiative, Taiwan will provide US$80,000 per year to STDF from 2014 to 2016. The fund aims to assist developing and least-developed countries establish and implement food safety and animal and plant health standards, as well bolstering epidemic prevention and quarantine capacities, the MOFA said.

WTO statistics reveal that since 2002, Taiwan has donated US$1.86 million to various WTO funds, making it the third highest developing country contributor.

Taiwan’s WTO Representative Lai Shin-yuan said as a former recipient of aid, the country fully understands the challenges faced by developing and least-developed countries in complying with sanitary and phytosanitary standards. “We continue to believe that improved SPS capacity will facilitate economic growth, poverty reduction, job creation and environmental protection.”

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo welcomed Taiwan’s donation and said it will play an important role in helping developing and least-developed countries make the most of the multilateral trading system and enhance their access to global markets.

Since joining the WTO Jan.1, 2002, Taiwan has played an active role in funding and participating in STDF projects.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=227056&CtNode=413)