Taiwan Today
Date: November 29, 2016

The 28th Trade Consultation Meeting between Taiwan and the European Union was held Nov. 25 in

Brussels, Belgium, highlighting continued efforts by the two sides to forge closer economic ties.

The annual meeting was jointly presided over by Republic of China (Taiwan) Vice Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua and Mauro Petriccione, deputy director-general of the European Commission’s Directorate General of Trade. Both sides called for increased cooperation and exchanged views on progress reports made by working groups in areas such as technical barriers to trade and intellectual property rights.

“Taiwan and the EU should ink a bilateral investment agreement as soon as possible to create favorable investment environments for each other’s enterprises,” Wang said. “The nation is promoting offshore wind farms, the smart machinery industry and circular economy. We hope European companies pursue investment or seek technical cooperation with Taiwan partners in these areas so the two sides can build closer connections.”

Representatives praised an agreement signed Nov. 25 in Taipei between the European Anti-Fraud Office, which is part of European Commission, and Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade and Customs Administration under the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Finance, respectively. The accord, they said, reflects Taiwan and the EU’s commitment to fighting illegal transshipping and customs-related fraud.    [FULL  STORY]