Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

FIC Trade and Investment Mission to Taiwan

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): October 3, 1997
– FSM Vice President Leo A. Falcam, on September 24, 1997, informed
the four FSM State Governors that the Forum Secretariat has started
preparatory to make a trade and investment mission for
representatives from the Forum Island Countries (FICs) to the
Republic of China (ROC) Taiwan, around the end of November 1997.

The objectives of the mission are: To explore and promote
opportunities between the FIC and Taiwan/ROC; to promote investment
from ROC in the FICs; and to identify and promote joint venture
projects and transfer of technology.

The mission plans to spend five days in Taipei and two or three
days in other business provinces to enable participants to study the
market in terms of size and segmentation of exportation of FIC’s
products into ROC. Conversely, potential investors and buyers may
learn more about accessing ROC markets for FSM products or
vice-versa.

In view of the focus on FICs and ROC private sectors, it is
proposed that mission participants are drawn from the private sector,
who were exposed to international marketing, investment, technology
transfer and who are trading with ROC businesses.

Due to budgetary constraints, the Forum can only fund one
participant from the FSM. At the same time, interested individuals
are welcome to participate at their own expense.

Vice President Falcam requested State Governors to assist in
identifying suitable candidate from their states which will be
communicated to ROC authorities who will identify suitable business
partners and meeting arrangements for the mission.

Vice President requested the governors to include with the names
of their nominees and other interested individuals their personal
profiles, passport particulars, their main areas of interest
including type of business or businessmen with whom he or she desires
to get in contact.

Furthermore, it will be helpful to the Taiwan authorities if areas
of interest such as fisheries, agriculture or tourism investment is
being sought including the levels of joint venture investment, Falcam
stated.

The governors were advised to relay their responses to the
Secretary of Resources and Development no later than December 8,
1997, who will be responsible for forwarding it to the Forum
Secretariat.

Any questions can be relayed to Secretary Sebastian Anefal at the
Department of Resources and Development.