Taiwan opens TPP Project Office to garner public support

TAIPEI – Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs has opened a special office charged with “enhancing public communications” as Taiwan continues to push its bid for membership of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

At the inauguration ceremony for the TPP Communication Projects Office, MOEA Minister, Deng Chen-chung, reiterated the importance of reaching a public consensus on the issue because of the wide-ranging impact the accord will have on Taiwan.
“The 12 founding members of the TPP comprise 36% of global gross domestic product,” Deng said. “Membership in the trade pact is imperative to Taiwan as these economies account for about US$100 billion of the country’s total exports.
“Securing inclusion in the TPP will promote investment by member States in Taiwan, while enabling local firms to better position themselves in the global supply chain.” 
Staffed with around 50 officials from the Ministry’s Bureau of Foreign Trade and Office of Trade Negotiations, the TPPCPO is responsible for communicating with the public on Taiwan’s bid and seeking input from domestic stakeholders on related Government policies.
Deng said that because of the high standards required for entry to the nascent trade bloc, an equally important task is to continue bringing local laws and regulations into line with international practice, especially those pertaining to e-commerce, environmental protection and labour rights. www.taiwantoday.tw (ATI).