Taiwan, Guatemala expected to ink free trade accord before Oct
Wednesday August 17, 2005
Taiwan, Guatemala Expected to Ink Free Trade Accord Before Oct
TAIPEI, Aug 17 Asia Pulse - Visiting Guatemalan President Oscar Berger said Tuesday that he expects a Taiwan-Guatemala free trade accord (FTA) to be signed in September or October.
Berger made the remarks in an exclusive interview with the CNA.
As soon as the FTA is passed by the legislatures of the two nations, it will be submitted for signing, he said, adding that a summit meeting between the Republic of China and its Central American allies that will be held in Nicaragua in September will be a good occasion for the signing.
Berger said Guatemala looks forward to the FTA as it will reduce the country’s large trade deficit with Taiwan.
Guatemala exports about US$4 million-worth of products to Taiwan annually, while Taiwan’s exports to the Central American country have reached over US$100 million, he said.
Berger arrived in Taiwan Aug. 14 for the inaugural conference of the Democratic Pacific Union. He left Tuesday after signing a communique with President Chen Shui-bian that states the cooperative plans of the two countries.
(CNA)
