Export boost for Taiwan firms under WTO technology pact

TAIPEI - Taiwan exporters of products included in the WTO’s expanded Information Technology Agreement can expect to save US$820 million per year once the pact takes effect July 1. The ITA includes 136 products in which Taiwan enjoys market advantages.
These are components for display devices and mobile phones, GPS navigation equipment, integrated circuits, memories, polarizers and set-top boxes, among others, according to Taiwan’s Office of Trade Negotiations.

Under the agreement, 73% of such local exports will gain duty-free access to 10 key markets this year, with tariffs on another 19% abolished by 2019. Display components are one of Taiwan’s most profitable exports. A total of 75% of shipments are sent to mainland China at rates of 6% to 8.4%, all of which will be eliminated in three years.
Also, 91% of locally-produced set-top boxes are shipped to the US and subject to import duties of between 3.9% and 5%. These are to be reduced to zero later this year. www.taiwantoday.tw (ATI).