PHOTO:
Frank Chen, Director, Taiwan Trade Center, Vancouver
Angel Li-hsin Liu, Director General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver
Anita Huberman, President & CEO, Surrey Board of Trade
The Surrey Board of Trade has signed an international trade cooperative agreement with the Taiwan Trade Center – Vancouver to add to the Surrey International Trade Centre’s formal country relationships, promoting and enhancing global business opportunities for local businesses.
“Recognizing that we live in a global economy, the Surrey Board of Trade is honoured to work with the Taiwan Trade Center – Vancouver,” said Anita Huberman, President & CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “Countries that are open to international trade tend to grow faster, innovate, improve productivity and provide more opportunities to their people.”
“I’m confident that this MOU will create more Taiwanese business opportunities for Surrey businesses and drive two-way imports and exports,” said Frank Chen, Director of Taiwan Trade Center, Vancouver. “Every year, we host 30-plus exhibitions, procurement meetings, and online presentations for companies around the world to connect with top-notch Taiwanese exhibitors, suppliers, and manufacturers, and undertakes many other special projects like the Taiwan Global Anti-COVID19 Pavilion to address rapid changes across the world. My team stands ready to connect Surrey Board of Trade members with these exclusive events.”
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Angel Li-hsin Liu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, and joined by colleagues from both sides who worked on the MOU.
The Surrey Board of Trade, as part of its service to its members, hereby agree to work in cooperation and non-exclusively, with the Taiwan Trade Center, Vancouver – the Western Canadian branch office of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) – to pursue the following objectives:
1. To enhance two-way trade, investment, economic and international marketing opportunities between Taiwan and Canada through joint-collaboration and coordination.
2. To promote each other by identifying opportunities for Taiwanese and Canadian companies to cooperate and informing each other about business trends in their respective regions, along with the overall benefits of doing business in Taiwan and Canada.
3. To encourage Taiwanese businesses seeking to enter the Western Canadian market to connect with the Surrey Board of Trade.
4. To expand Taiwanese opportunities for businesses based in Surrey, BC, Canada by identifying and connecting members or contacts of the Surrey Board of Trade with exhibitions, trade meetings and other industry events hosted by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and its partners.
5. To promote such other objectives and purposes consistent with the above objectives for the general welfare of both communities.
6. To conduct these affairs in accordance with best business practices.
The Surrey International Trade Centre at the Surrey Board of Trade provides international trade documentation and promotes business opportunities around the world to build global business opportunities for local businesses. It has successfully formed a network with Consulate Offices, Chambers of Commerce and other international organizations to work together towards the goals of the Surrey International Trade Centre.
Taiwan
The Taiwanese economy has grown by 6.5% in 2021, driven in large part by rising global demand for semiconductor and ICT products, that power up cars, phones and medical technology. Economic ties between Taiwan and Canada have done much to contribute to this growth. Trade between the two countries grew by 48% last year, amounting to US$8.2 billion. This increase in bilateral trade, in turn, was driven largely by growing commerce between Taiwan and British Columbia. Trade between Taiwan and British Columbia rose to US$2.6 billion over the course of 2021, making Taiwan the fifth largest trading partner of the province.
