In recent years, a rising awareness of consumer rights and increasing regulations calling for the technical specifications of products to incorporate environmental protection measures have become major non-tariff barriers to trade. Given the importance of these barriers to international trading prospects, the TaiwanICDF has continued to host yearly workshops on WTO Technical Barriers to Trade, the latest of which runs from September 29 to October 12. Via this workshop, participants from Taiwan’s partner countries who work in fields relevant to WTO regulation are offered an opportunity to learn how Taiwan was able to reduce barriers to trade and build robust economic policies for engaging in overseas trade. By disseminating this know-how, it is hoped that Taiwan’s partner countries will be able to build their capacity for trade and fully engage global markets.

This year’s workshop has attracted 29 participants from 25 countries – including first-time participation from Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Thailand – whose occupations cover trade, economics, standards and inspection; and involve WTO-related technical barriers to trade and trade negotiation.

With individual countries having passed their own regulatory standards for product compliance over the years, a confusing array of trade barriers have confounded manufacturers, importers and exporters alike; and these vulnerabilities have often been exploited as a pretext for introducing protectionist policies. In response, the WTO introduced mandatory technical regulations and standards for products, so that testing and certification procedures do not create unnecessary barriers to trade. In his remarks at the opening ceremony for the workshop, Assistant Secretary General Nelson Chang observed that Taiwan became an active supporter of trade facilitation in other member countries shortly after its accession to the WTO in 2002. He added that as an export-oriented nation with success in tackling EU and US calls to meet increasingly stricter product standards, Taiwan had accumulated a wealth of experience in overcoming trade barriers, which the TaiwanICDF is happy to share for the benefit of its partners own economic development.

Over two weeks, the TaiwanICDF workshop on WTO Technical Barriers to Trade introduces the WTO’s most important principles and norms, so that participants can understand the rights and interests affecting their country when handling trade barriers. The curriculum also covers mechanisms by which countries might surmount these barriers and discusses case studies of common problems faced by developing countries, giving participants a forum to exchange knowledge drawn from experiences in their home country.

The workshop also receives support from a number of government and professional institutions, including the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection; the Industrial Technology Research Institute of Taiwan, the Food Industry Research and Development Institute, and SGS Taiwan Ltd. This gives participants a first-hand opportunity to see how Taiwan has responded to challenges created by trade barriers, and allows them to discuss the issue with seasoned professionals.

In addition to studying this main curriculum, participants in this and other TaiwanICDF workshops are given the opportunity to visit Taiwan’s cultural attractions, including the National Palace Museum and the National Center for Traditional Arts. By augmenting its professional curriculum with cultural activities, the TaiwanICDF hopes that participants will be able to gain a greater understanding of Taiwanese society.

Drawing on Taiwan’s own development experiences, the TaiwanICDF holds up to 15 workshops each year on subjects covering economic, human resource, agricultural, community and women’s development; health care, and environmental protection. In addition to strengthening expertise and professional know-how in Taiwan’s partner countries, TaiwanICDF workshops are designed to promote bilateral cooperation and consolidate international relationships.

• Update: 2018/03/01
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