“I and my colleagues are doing our level best to keep the relationship grow from strength to strength. We’re active in our collaboration with Saudi Arabia in various sectors,” Dr. Ibrahim Chao, Taiwan’s Representative in Saudi Arabia, told Arab News.
Dr. Chao was referring to education, culture, IT, vocational training, agriculture, marine technology, among others.
“On vocational training, the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) regularly sends its people for training to Taipei. It goes without saying that this shows Saudi confidence in Taiwan’s high standard,” he said.
He added that on agriculture, Taiwan could transfer its technology on tissue agriculture to produce sweet semi-tropical fruits.
Dr. Chao added that although Taiwan has only 36,000 sq. km. of land, it is doing well in self-sufficiency in agriculture with regards to rice production and in the production of semi-tropical fruits through tissue agriculture.
“We have four seasons and the weather is mild, enabling us to produce sweet tropical fruits through tissue agriculture. We can transfer our technology to Saudi Arabia,” he said.
On aqua-culture, Dr. Chao said that Taiwan is also doing tilapia fish production.
“Our tilapia production has been quite impressive. The quality of our tilapia is also good. In addition, we also raise tilapia both in fresh and sea water. Our technology in this field could also be transferred,” he said.
He said that although the quality of sea water in Taiwan is different from that of Saudi Arabia, it could raise nagit or hamour in the Red Sea.
“Doing this is not easy but we’re willing to transfer our technology know-how regarding it,” he said.
As far as trade is concerned, the bilateral trade volume between the Taiwan and Saudi Arabia reached $16.2 billion in 2008, up from $7.9 billion in 2005. However, due to the financial crisis last year, the bilateral trade dropped to $9.34 billion.
On tourism, Taiwan is a good place where to spend vacation because of its location. “Although the cost of being a tourist in Taiwan is a little higher compared to neighboring countries, it has good seasons that are conducive to tourists who want to experience something new.”
He said that Taiwan is the place to go for the vacationer who has visited the traditional tourist destinations. Why? Because aside from its ethnic and exotic culture, it also offers medical tourism at very competitive rates with superior medical services.
Referring to the close collaboration which Taiwan and Saudi Arabia enjoy, Dr. Chao said that a Saudi delegation from the public and private sectors of the Kingdom will be visiting Taipei next month.
The delegation from the two sectors will be headed by Sheikh Saleh Kamel of the Al Barakah Group. The Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI) will organize the private sector group.
“It is expected that bilateral issues will be discussed between the public and private sector groups from the two countries,” Dr. Chao said.
He added that the Saudi public sector group will explore the possibilities of investing in various areas in Taiwan such as IT, construction, agriculture, fishing and computer technology, among others.
“While Saudi businessmen have infused capital in Taipei, there are three Taiwanese companies which have come to Saudi Arabia to invest in generators, building materials and computer,” Dr. Chao said.
He said that the Saudi delegation’s visit is a reflection of confidence in Taiwan’s economy.
Quoting Taiwan’s Premier Wu Den-yih, Dr. Chao said, “Saudi investment in Taiwan is one way of achieving global reach. It’s the best choice for investors at home and abroad.”
At an investor solicitation conference on Aug. 23., Premier Wu said: “We welcome investment in Taiwan by those with foresight and the capability to integrate innovation.”
The Taiwanese premier said that every effort is being made to recruit investment based on President Ma Ying-jeon’s economic strategy to “grow Taiwan, link with the Asia-Pacific, and go global.”
Dr. Chao exuded confidence that the relationship of Taiwan with Gulf countries will be bright in the next ten years, adding that his country is trying to sign an agreement or treaty for free trade with other countries.
“After signing a free-trade accord with other countries, Taiwan could do good business with them during the next ten years or more years ,” Dr. Chao said.
He added: “We are not a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but through the Economic Cooperation Frame Agreement (ECFA), Taiwan would be able to share all these developments taking place.”
— Ismael Mae is a counselor at the Taipei Representative Office in Riyadh
