Roxas says RP-Taiwan talks ‘fruitful’

The Philippines and Taiwan were able to hold fruitful discussions on several issues during the recently concluded two-day Philippine-Taiwan 10th Joint Economic Conference.

During the meeting, the two countries were able to discuss a system to facilitate the exchange of information technology professionals where IT workers will be allowed to enter Taiwan or the Philippines more easily and stay longer than is allowed at present.

The two countries also discussed Taiwan’s decision to provide technical assistance to the Philippines in identifying production and marketing opportunities for a particular product.

They also discussed ways to promote the tourism industry of both countries as well as development projects in the rural areas.

A tie-up between the Philippines’ Product Development and Design Center and Taiwan’s Design Promotion Centre or CETRA was also taken up during the meeting to come up with better and more marketable product designs.

The two countries also took up the issue regarding the difficulty facing Philippine fruit exports like mango, papaya and banana in entering the Taiwan market.

The two countries also discussed ways to give better benefits for Filipino workers in Taiwan.

The Philippine delegation was led by Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Trade and Industry Undersecretary Tomas Aquino, Labor Undersecretary Manuel Imson, Presidential Adviser for North Luzon Renato Diaz, SBMA chairman Felicito Payumo and representative of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office led by chairman Antonio Basilio and board director Tomas Alcantara.

The Taiwanese delegation was led by Minister Yi-Fu Line of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Vice Minister Yen-Shiang Shih of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Vice Chairman Chi-Jen Kuo of the Council of Labor Affairs.

Roxas also met with the Filipino community in Taiwan.