MANILA: Taiwan is optimistic that its bilateral relationship with the Philippines will remain strong as economic links continue to grow, Taiwan’s representative to the Philippines Gary Song-huann Lin said.
According to details, Lin said bilateral trade between the two countries increased from US$9.7 billion (NT$300 billion) in 2015 to US$10.8 billion last year, noting that Taiwanese exports to the Philippines increased 15 percent year-on-year.
Furthermore, cooperation between both sides in such areas as technology, agriculture, and fishery also grew, Lin added.
“Our relationship with the Philippines will be even stronger this year,” he said, citing a number of new projects between the two countries in the pipeline for the coming year.
According to Lin, the Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), and it is also Taiwan’s sixth largest trading partner.
A reception was held in Manila for Taiwanese expatriates living in the Philippines, where Lin extended his well wishes for the beginning of spring.
