March 10, 2015
No. 035
The Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Republic of Poland recently concluded an air transport agreement in order to deepen bilateral cooperation and exchanges in such areas as trade, culture, and tourism. The agreement was signed by Marek Wejtko, Head of the Warsaw Trade Office in Taipei, and Jack K. C. Chiang, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Warsaw, on February 11 and March 5 of 2015, respectively, entering into force on the latter date.
The Agreement between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Warsaw and the Warsaw Trade Office in Taipei on Air Transport will create an institutionalized cooperation platform for airlines of Taiwan and Poland, boosting people-to-people exchanges and the transport of goods, as well as enhancing economic, cultural, and tourism ties. According to ROC government statistics, two-way trade between Taiwan and Poland reached US$1.12 billion in 2014, a 16% increase compared to 2013. In addition, to date 27 Taiwanese companies have invested a total of US$200 million in Poland, indicating that bilateral commercial interaction is increasing and that there is potential for even more growth, particularly in passenger and cargo transport.
If airlines of the two countries are able to establish cooperation on the basis of the recently signed agreement, an increasing number of Taiwanese companies will set up logistics centers in Poland to serve Central Europe, so as to distribute components and other products more effectively. Furthermore, ROC nationals will be encouraged to travel to Central and Eastern Europe for business and tourism purposes. Both Taiwan-Europe and Taiwan-Poland relations will be greatly enhanced as a result.
The air transport agreement, as well as a youth working holiday pact signed in November 2014, demonstrates that Taiwan and Poland are both committed to further strengthening mutually beneficial, substantive relations. Taiwan has now signed air transport agreements with 54 countries and regions around the world, with Poland being the 14th partner in Europe. (E)