Remarks at the Latin American Business Council’s Celebration Party for the 24th Anniversary and the Lunar New Year
H. E. Miguel Li-Jey Tsao
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of China (Taiwan)
February 21, 2019
Mrs. Grace Wang(王理事長綉子), Chairperson of the Latin American Business Council (LABC);
Hon. Legislator Lo, Chih-Cheng;
Hon. Legislator Chang, Hung-Lu;
Director-General Yang, Jen-Ni, Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs;
President Walter Yeh, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA);
Excellencies ambassadors, ambassadresses and honorable representatives;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen:
Good evening! Buenas tardes!
It is a pleasure to be here to celebrate with all of you the 24th anniversary of LABC and the Lunar New Year. On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I would like to extend my best wishes to you for a prosperous and auspicious Year of the Boar!
Latin America is strategically significant for Taiwan. Taiwan shares the same values and common interests with our diplomatic allies in the Latin America and Caribbean region. The cordial relations have grown stronger through the frequent high-level officials visits and extensive projects of cooperation in the numerous areas. And my government deeply extends gratitude to our diplomatic allies for supporting Taiwan's participation in the international arena and organizations.
In the front of economic cooperation, Latin American countries are the prioritized targets for Taiwan to boost its external trade and investment. My government has taken efforts to encourage Taiwan’s private sectors in collaborating with the businesses and enterprises in Latin America. And we will expand the benefits of exiting FTAs signed with Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras to other countries in the region, thus enabling us to share the economic prosperity and interests.
We have mapped out the plans and will also hold intense exchanges and consultations with Mexico, Chile and Peru, the signatories of CPTPP, for promoting Taiwan’s accesses to this important trade bloc for the second round. Yet my government can't undertake those important missions without the assistance from the LABC.
Since its inception in 1993, LABC with its 95 members have achieved many positive outcomes. These include sending trade missions to international trade shows, promoting business opportunities through conferences and workshops, and helping Taiwanese enterprises in gaining broader accesses to overseas markets.
Taking this opportunity, let me express my sincere appreciation to LABC for your good efforts and brilliant contributions in enhancing Taiwan’s relations with Latin American countries. I also sincerely expect LABC to function as the economic and trade platform to mobilize its business networks and resources to support Taiwan in joining CPTPP and to foster more FTAs with other countries in the region
Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for me to convey gratitude to those nine Ambassadors and Ambassadresses of (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Haiti, Belize, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and Grenadines and St. Lucia) for your dedication in building up strong bilateral relations between Taiwan and your esteemed countries. My sincere thanks also extend to the representatives of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru, for your contribution made to strengthen bilateral political economic links, cultural ties and technological exchanges. Last but not least, it won’t be perfect if we neglect in mentioning Chairperson Wang of LABC for her generosity, fine temperament and caliber that lead the development of LABC to a new height.
It is with the aforesaid appreciation that we gather together for a special and good time. Now please allow me to wish you good health, prosperity and personal wellbeing. Thank you!