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Solomon Islands PM visits Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone

Solomon Islands PM visits Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone

Solomon Islands PM visits Kaohsiung EPZ

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on Wednesday visited Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and Taiflex Scientific Co., to learn from Taiwan’s success story in export processing zone development, and was accompanied by Deputy Director of Kaohsiung EPZ Administration, Tsai Chun-feng. The Prime Minister, who is on his fifth visit to Taiwan, was invited by Taiwanese government to embark on an 8-day official visit to the nation from July 24 to 31. As the first foreign head of government to visit Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen’s inauguration on May 20, Sogavare was received by Tsai at the Presidential Office upon his arrival. Taiwan and the Solomon Islands have enjoyed close diplomatic relations since 1981, said the Prime Minister. With both sides having many cooperation projects in various fields including agriculture, fishing, education, medical care, information technology, and rural construction, he hopes that the visit could promote an even closer bilateral relationship. In 1966, Taiwan established its first EPZ in Kaohsiung, a project that integrated the functions of a free trade area, duty-free zone, and industrial park. The zone succeeded widely in attracting foreign capital and technology, increasing job opportunities, and driving Taiwan’s economy and industry forward. Tsai Chun-feng told the media that the Solomon Islands Prime Minister and his delegation have shared their views on the EPZ development, and were impressed with the role of the zones in linking Taiwan to the rest of the Asia-Pacific region, as well as expanding market in ASEAN nations, which serves well with the new government’s “New Southward Policy.”