ASTEP Signed with Singapore Yesterday, Indonesia and India Said to Be Next in Line

 ASTEP Signed with Singapore Yesterday,

Indonesia and India Said to Be Next in Line

Sources: All Taipei newspapers

Nov. 08 2013

Taiwan and Singapore signed yesterday the ASTEP (Agreement between Singapore and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership), which is the first free trade agreement (FTA) that Taiwan has signed with a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). When asked whether Taiwan would have opportunities to conclude FTA or Economic Cooperation Agreements (ECA) with other countries in the near future, Foreign Minister David Lin (林永樂) stated that feasibility studies on an ECA with Indonesia and India had been completed, while the feasibility study on an ECA with Philippines had nearly been completed as well.     

Hsieh Fadah (謝發達), Taiwan's representative to Singapore, and Calvin Eu (于文豪), Singapore's representative to Taiwan signed the ATEP on behalf of Taiwan and Singapore.

A reception hosted by the ROC Foreign Ministry in celebration of the signing of the ASTEP was held at the Taipei Guest House at noon today. 

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