The China News on December 21 reported that according to Taiwan “Jingji Ribao”, the fourth both banks two meet the leader to discuss hopes to announce starts both banks to consult economic cooperation construction agreement officially (ECFA), the Taiwan authority ministry of economic affairs official indicated that the both banks first formal negotiation will be taken to the threshing ground in next January last ten days of the month most quickly, both banks will strive in the first half of next year to complete Qia to sign diligently as soon as possible.

The Taiwan authority economic minister Shi Yanxiang indicated that not only ECFA the cross-strait issue, is a Taiwan layout whole world’s link, signs ECFA after both banks Qia, Taiwan must step out to complete other trade agreement (FTA) negotiations as soon as possible.

He said that ECFA is also one kind of FTA, but it is a current framework agreement, from the beginning implements the early harvest detailed list first, afterward must truly achieve some goods zero customs duties, but must undergo many years consultation. Taiwan this time consulted ECFA the principle not to expand the open agricultural import, did not open the mainland laborer to come to Taiwan.

According to Zhongjingyuan estimate, Taiwan when Qia signs ECFA, possibly faces two kinds of situations; first, to maintain the farm worker controls, the open farm worker product liberalization (i.e. customs duty reduced to zero), the situation two are, maintains the agriculture department to control, and does not cut the tax, but industry sector liberalization. Two situations to the GDP increase scope, each are 1.65% and 1.72%.

It is estimated that after both banks Qia signs ECFA in seven years, Taiwan will increase the scale to reach as high as 8.9 billion US dollars bystander direct investment (FDI). At present Taiwan plans to include the ECFA early time harvest detailed list the project including middle and upper reaches the petrochemical, spinning and weaving, machinery, automobile and spare part and kneading board, includes the early harvest detailed list. In kneading board one item, as a result of Japan, South Korea with the mainland agreement lowering customs duty, Taiwan has not believed that once discussed that is helpful the Taiwan entrepreneur to promote the mainland market share.

Ministry of economic affairs industry bureau Du Zijun said that ECFA to the Taiwan whole is advantageous, but inevitable will have some domestic demand weak industries, comes under the influence. From cross-strait talk ECFA to the genuine goods trade zero customs duty, must pass through for many years, will have the time to counsel the enterprise the present to the future implementation to strengthen the competitive power, perhaps will assist to reform.

In the near future, the Taiwan authority Economic Planning and Development and ministry of economic affairs and the councils of labor affair and so on promoted in accordance to liberalization of trade industrial adjustment support plan, has arranged in order 10 years and 95 billion Yuan budget. Three department meeting promotes in the plan main basis island the industry deals with the liberalization of trade influence, gives the different period the assistance.

(This article originates: China News)