MOEA unveils green trade promotion plan

2015/12/16

A five-year project promoting green trade was launched Dec. 14 by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, paving the way for local firms to better access the potential-laden industry.

Set to kick off next year under the auspices of the MOEA Bureau of Foreign Trade, the Green Trade Action Plan focuses on building export momentum and marketing capacities for Taiwan businesses providing low-carbon products and services.

It is expected that the undertaking will see the country develop into a top global choice when it comes to green procurements. This is to be achieved by expanding homegrown outfits’ related exports, developing new business models, joining global and regional government procurement networks and obtaining international green product certifications.

An MOEA official said the timing of the project could not be better as worldwide demand for green products and services should spike following the consensus to cap the global temperature rise at 2 C reached during the recently concluded 21st Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris.

“Although Taiwan is not party to the UNFCCC, this development could potentially impact the country’ export-oriented economy,” the official said. “It is imperative our private sector accepts the challenge and turns it into a business opportunity.”

The plan was drafted by the Green Trade Project Office, which was established by the BOFT in 2011. To date, GTPO has assisted 800-plus firms secure business valued at more than US$6 billion.

One example is locally designed and manufactured Eco-Power Station, an evolutionary off-the-grid system entirely powered by solar energy. It will begin operations as part of a bicycle rental system at Liberty State Park, New Jersey, underscoring Taiwan’s technological capabilities in providing green solutions.

Other achievements in this regard include the first-time hosting by Taipei City in 2014 of Eco-Products International Fair, as well as this year’s Green Summit, the annual gathering of Switzerland-based Global Cleantech Cluster Association.

According to data from Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, Taiwan’s green exports hit US$61.8 billion last year and accounted for 20 percent of the national total.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=240182&ctNode=2194&mp=9)