Francisco Sanchez, undersecretary for international trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce, is visiting Taiwan Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 at the invitation of the American Institute in Taiwan, according to the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The objectives of Sanchez’s trip are to publicize the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and promote U.S. President Barack Obama’s SelectUSA investment promotion project,” the MOFA said Oct. 29.
“He will also meet with leaders from the public and private sectors, attend a luncheon for the local business community and a reception hosted by the ministry to celebrate the nation’s inclusion in the VWP, as well as participate in trade and tourism promotion activities.”
Noting that Sanchez is in charge of global trade and business service and investment promotion programs, the ministry said his trip indicates that the U.S. values bilateral economic relations. “In particular, trade and tourism exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S. will become more frequent as the nation’s official inclusion in the U.S. VWP takes effect Nov. 1.
“We expect bilateral cooperation on culture, education, environmental protection, technology and tourism will also be enhanced,” the MOFA said.
Grace Kuo