President Tsai hopes for more cooperation with The Netherlands
The government will continue to strengthen Taiwan-Netherlands exchanges by expanding cooperation across a range of areas including trade and technology, said President Tsai Ing-wen upon receiving on Oct. 24 a Dutch parliamentary and think-tank delegation led by Henk Krol, fraction leader of 50Plus in the Dutch House of Representatives.
The President also stressed the importance of concluding a bilateral investment agreement (BIA) with the EU. Signing a BIA would help safeguard the interests of Dutch businesses, since The Netherlands is also the “No.1 investor” in Taiwan.
Given both countries share the values of freedom, democracy and rules-based order, they should work to boost cooperation in combating disinformation and boosting information security, said Tsai.
Parliamentarians EU launch Formosa Club
A group of members of the Taiwan Friendship groups in the European Parliament and the parliaments of Germany, France and the United Kingdom, launched the Formosa Club to support Taiwan.
The Formosa Club was inaugurated in the European Parliament on Oct. 16 to enhance cross-border support for Taiwan and to forge stronger ties between Taiwan, the European Union and like-minded countries in Europe.
Deputy Minister Kelly Hsieh of Foreign Affairs attended the inauguration and said that Taiwan’s friendship with European countries are extremely vital and can help preserve Taiwan’s democracy.
Economy & Society
Taiwan ranks 15th in World Bank report
Among 190 economies, Taiwan is ranked 15th in the world and 7th in the Asia-Pacific by the Washington-based World Bank in its Doing Business Report released on Oct. 24.
The World Bank focuses on 10 areas to assess a nation’s business environment. Scoring 80.9 out of 100, Taiwan ranks ahead of regional neighbors Thailand (21st), Japan (29th ) and China (31st).
The Netherlands ranks 42nd in the report.
U.S. urges top 500 firms to engage in business with Taiwan
Three U.S. government agencies have sent a joint letter to America’s top 500 enterprises, encouraging them to take advantage of the business opportunities offered by Taiwan through shared values and a strong bilateral relationship.
The letter also makes reference to China’s political demands on foreign companies with which it does business, particularly with regard to Taiwan’s status and designation.
"The U.S. government does not dictate how private companies choose to label Taiwan and has publicly expressed our position that no government should impose political standards on how companies present information to their customers. We hope to continue to deepen our economic and cultural ties with Taiwan, and believe commercial engagement is key to such progress," the letter reads.
Taiwan is the U.S.’11th largest trading partner and its 9th biggest market for agricultural exports.
Will Smith promotes new film directed by Ang Lee
“Lee has been on my list for most of my adult life as someone that I want to work with. So Taipei made the dream come true’” says U.S. actor Will Smith who arrived Oct.18 with Taiwanese film director Ang Lee in Taipei to promote the new film “Gemini Man.”
The film is about an assassin named Henry Brogan, played by Will Smith, who is chased by a young clone of himself that can predict his every move.
