Statement by H.E. Dr. Yen-Shiang SHIH

Minister of Economic Affairs

On behalf of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, I would first like to thank Ambassador AGAH, Director-General LAMY and the WTO Secretariat for all their efforts in preparing this Ministerial Conference. 

As I think we all recognize, trade liberalization and facilitation have been the two most powerful engines of global economic growth, with the WTO as a key stabilizing factor for the multilateral trading system. In fact, we have high expectations for the WTO’s next step, especially in these critical economic times. At various global and regional gatherings this year, such as the G20 summits and APEC meetings, Members have stressed repeatedly the importance of strengthening the multilateral trading system to reflect the multidimensional challenges we now face. They have also demonstrated their political will by their approach to advancing the Doha Round of negotiations. Today, as we are all gathered here together, I strongly urge that we Ministers give the clearest possible direction for the WTO’s next step and beyond.