Taiwan and Philippines ink bilateral investment agreement, despite protests from China

  • Taiwan and the Philippines signed a new bilateral investment agreement on 7 Dec 17, the first new major investment agreement between the two countries in 25 years, as well as the first Taiwan has signed with another country under the New Southbound Policy, reported CNA.
  • As the signing of the agreement had been announced to the media ahead of time, China’s government filed a protest to the Philippines to try and convince it to abort the agreement at the last minute, however the two representative offices continued with their plans and the two sides signed the document.
  • Lin said that the previous BIA between Taiwan and the Philippines, which was signed in 1992, is outdated and the new one is designed to adjust to changes in the modern market.
  • Although the details of the agreement have not yet been disclosed to the public, officials did disclose to CNA that its focus would be on transparent laws and regulations, equal treatment of investors, expanding targeted industries, dispute settlement mechanisms, and coordination with counterpart government agencies on dealing with violent labor disputes.
  • Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs Shen Jong-chin said that this first investment agreement signed under the New Southbound Policy will provide more protection to Taiwanese investors and give them a better understanding of the Philippine market, thereby driving economic development on both sides to create a win-win scenario.

External Link : https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3315714

8-Dec-2017