TAIPEI: Taiwan and Canada concluded a customs cooperation agreement in Taipei City, a move widely seen as taking bilateral relations to new heights, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here the other day.
Signed by David Ta-wei Lee, ROC representative to Canada, and Scott Fraser, executive director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, the pact expands information exchanges and joint efforts combating customs fraud and drug trafficking.
“This agreement enables authorities in both countries to share their experiences and best practices, further promoting Taiwan’s participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization,” the MOFA said in a statement.
The pact was the highlight of the annual Taiwan-Canada Bilateral Trade Consultation Meeting held the same day.
Presided over by Francis Liang, deputy head of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Peter McGovern, assistant deputy minister of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the meeting was attended by senior officials from various ROC ministries and agencies, as well as representatives from Canada’s central and provincial governments.
During the one-day event, both sides discussed key developments in respective economic policies, with a focus on customs cooperation and bilateral investment in energy and key service sectors.
Launched in 2005, the annual event serves as an important platform for Taiwan and Canada to promote bilateral trade and investment, the MOEA said. (JSM)
