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(…) In addition to efforts associated with the DDA negotiations, we have also been active in negotiations on the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), the expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), the plurilateral Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) and the liberalization of trade in environmental goods. (…)

In order to join the collective efforts to promote global trade in environmental goods, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu worked with 13 other WTO members in issuing a joint statement in Davos, Switzerland on January 24, 2014, announcing the joint intent to launch negotiations aimed at pursuing further liberalization for trade in environmental goods in the WTO. (…)

In the interim, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu hopes that progress on the ITA expansion negotiations, the TiSA negotiations as well as the negotiations on environmental goods will contribute to the value and function of the world trading system and provide impetus for the conclusion of the DDA.

The Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN) was established in March 2007 to serve as a coordination office among the relevant agencies to develop government positions and strategies for trade negotiations. (…) Consisting of a trade policy team and a legal team, OTN's mission consists of: (i) participating in WTO-related negotiations , namely the Doha round, Chinese Taipei's accession to the Government Procurement Agreement, and expansion of the Information Technology Agreement, and preparations for negotiating trade in environmental goods; (…)

(…) Based on the APEC initiative, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu would like to work with like-minded WTO members to explore for tariff liberalization a broader range of additional products that can also directly and positively contribute to green growth and sustainable development.

In broad terms, the ECAs (Economic Cooperation Agreements) (with New Zealand) involve the removal of most market access barriers within a certain period, including: elimination of tariffs for agricultural and industrial products; opening of the services sector market; removal of foreign investment restrictions; and the bringing into line with international norms, regulations and policies affecting issues such as competition, IPR protection, standards and SPS measures, e-commerce, environmental protection. Chinese Taipei aims to substantially increase the value of its trade conducted via ECAs.

During the review period, the government continued to pursue structural reform as a means of increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of the domestic economy. In order to adjust its industrial structure, in 2009 the government selected a number of industries as the main focus for economic development. These included the so-called six emerging industries (including biotechnology, green energy, cultural and creative industries), the four intelligent industries (including cloud computing and electric vehicles), and the ten major service industries (including international medical care services and international logistics services). (…)

(…) The government has therefore continuously supported and provided various kinds of trade assistance projects to further enhance the balanced and sustainable development of LDCs.

In order to improve the investment climate, the government abandoned the use of a permitted investments list in favour of a negative list of industries, closed to foreign investment for security, environmental and health protection. Further reforms in this direction were undertaken during the review period. (…)

Table 2.1 Negative list for investment by overseas Chinese and foreign nationals (amended 17 June 2013)
1. Prohibited industries
Code No.: 18
Scope of industry: Manufacture of chemical material
Sub-item of Industry: 1810 Manufacture of basic chemical material
Description: CFC, halon, methylchoroform, carbon tetrachloride
Competent authorities: Environmental Protection Administration
Remarks: National treatment