Under the international financial crisis and its impact on multinational investment, nations and regions around the world has been actively seeking effective solutions. The 13th CIFIT, with its role as “Gateway for China, Platform for the World”, has attracted much attention. Merchants and visitors, gathered on this occasion to seek opportunity to tackle the crisis. Enterprises from both sides of the Taiwan Straits, with a common understanding on the unique advantages of mutual cooperation and benefit across the straits, call for Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECFA) to come into effect.
Mr. Wang Zhigang, Chairman of Taipei World Trade Center, led a delegation to the CIFIT for the first time and attended the Forum on Cross-Straits Economic and Trade Cooperation and Development, themed around the ECFA. He indicated that Taiwan leading enterprises all urged the signing of ECFA.
In the interview, Chairman Wang emphasized the advantages of ECFA, including resolutions to to facilitate the bilateral trade, such as tax reduction, investment guarantee, etc. He also touched upon issues such as Taiwan financial and insurance services entering China Mainland. To Chairman Wang, ECFA is actually a good choice to settle these issues across the Straits.
Mr. Gong Tianxing, General Manager of Fubon Financial Holding, also expressed his hope for MOU of Cross-Straits Financial Supervision and ECFA.
Meanwhile, Taiwan academic circles appeal for the establishment of economic cooperation mechanism as well. Ms. Liu Bizhen, Deputy Dean of Taiwan Chinese Economy Research Institute, stated that China Mainland had become Taiwan’s largest investing destination and market for exports. China Mainland may get experience from Taiwan in production, technology, marketing and management, to further develop its economy.
As experts from business and academic circles all look forward to ECFA, the signing of ECFA is irresistible and impending.
Mr. Jiang Zengwei, Deputy Minister of Commerce, at the 13th CIFIT stated the necessity of cross-straits economic cooperation as well.
Enterprises from China Mainland are eagerly waiting for closer cooperation across the Straits. Under the policies formulated by China State Council, the development of Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone has become national developing strategy with Fujian Province be the first and biggest beneficiary because of its geographical advantage. Mr. Li Renjie, Governor of Industrial Bank, appeals for the settlement of political differences and the conclusion of ECFA and MOU, to accelerate the financial cooperation across the Straits.
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