The 6th Taiwan-Poland Economic Consultations were held at the Ministry of Economic Affairs on Oct. 21, 2016. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Wei-Fuu Yung, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs, and Mr. Tadeusz Koscinski, Poland's Vice Minister of Development. The two sides discussed a range of issues of common concern, including bilateral trade, investment, industry and scientific research cooperation.
Vice Minister Yang said the Economic Consultations were the first of their kind between Taiwan and the Central European nation, adding that economic and trade ties between the two sides have been growing closer ever since the first Consultations were held in 2010.
Highlights of the latest session included the signing of the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion Agreement as well as progress on the issue of access to the Taiwan market for Polish poultry. Such positive outcomes demonstrate Taiwan's commitment to addressing concerns of EU member states and create an atmosphere favorable to signing of a Taiwan-EU Bilateral Investment Agreement, according to Vice Minister Yang.
Also signed at the meeting were memorandums of understanding between the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PAIiIZ) and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), and between the Polish Center for Accreditation (PCA) and the Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF).
Cooperation between the TAF and PCA will facilitate trade activities between Taiwan and Poland, and forward efforts to enhance the competitiveness of both sides' industries, Yang said. He added that Taiwan is also seeking further cooperation on accreditation and conformity assessment with other European countries. Regarding the MOU between TAITRA and PAIiIZ, Yang said he strongly believed PAIiIZ's extensive network and substantial investment activities will help Taiwanese companies in their efforts to tap the wider EU market.
Poland enjoys a strategic location in the center of Europe, and its economy has continued to grow steadily. In addition, Poland is the biggest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe and is home to large automotive and aviation industries. In 2015, Poland's GDP and GDP growth rate ranked eighth and fourth, respectively, in the EU.
There are currently 30 Taiwanese enterprises operating in Poland. Their total investment in the country exceeds US$200 million.