The Republic of China (Taiwan) welcomed the Nov. 11 announcement by 11 Asia-Pacific economies that plans for a regional free trade agreement will move forward following the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership in January this year, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Taiwan is committed to participating in regional economic integration through pursuing bilateral agreements and joining multilateral frameworks including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, according to Minister of Economic Affairs Shen Jong-chin Nov. 9.

Taiwan, Australia and the U.S. jointly launched the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Women and the Economy Subfund Nov. 10 in Danang, Vietnam, underscoring the member economies’ shared commitment to fostering women’s empowerment across the region.

Highlighting Taiwan’s economic accomplishments and commitment to achieving greater participation in regional economic integration are the nation’s top priorities for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting, according to James Soong, representative of President Tsai Ing-wen to the annual gathering.

Taiwan and 17 other Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member economies jointly issued the Seoul Statement during the 4th APEC Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry, which took place Oct. 30-31 in the South Korean capital.

As Taiwan expands its presence in South and Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand through the government’s New Southbound Policy, forums such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) are growing in importance as platforms for sharing the country’s expertise in areas ranging from the digital economy and food security to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) in collaboration with Japan in APEC Life Science Innovation Forum - Regulatory Harmonization Steering Committee (LSIF-RHSC) promotes Good Registration Management (GRM). A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between TFDA and APEC LSIF in July 2017, and TFDA is an APEC Training Center of Excellence (CoE) in Regulatory Science in the area of Good Registration Management.

Premier Lai Ching-te today said that Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) stands as an important cooperative organization for developing trade and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as a key platform for Taiwan and other nations in the region to expand policy discussions, technology exchanges and industrial development.