Taipei, July 16 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Wednesday that the government's idea of making Taiwan an Asia-Pacific research and development center is not a distant dream.
Chen made the remarks while meeting with Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Chairman K.K. Modi, who arrived in Taiwan that day for a three-day visit at the Invitation of the Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association (CIECA).
Noting that the government is seeking to build Taiwan into an Asia-Pacific R&D center, Chen said that CACCI experts are welcome to participate in the plan to help the country reach its goal as soon possible.
Chen noted that the CACCI was founded in Taipei in May 1966 and set up its headquarters in Taipei in 1980. The organization now has 24 members, including the CIECA and the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce.
He lauded the valuable contributions the CACCI has made to economic and trade exchanges and development in the Asia-Pacific area since its establishment. He also wished great success for the upcoming CACCI board meeting and Asian Enterprise Forum slated for December in Kuala Lumpur.
For his part, Modi, who comes from India, spoke highly of Taiwan's impressive economic achievements and voiced the hope that Taiwan will share its experience in business management with all the CACCI members.
As for Taiwan's plan to make itself an Asia-Pacific R&D center by 2008, Modi said that he will encourage the CACCI experts to participate in various R&D projects.
In response, Chen said that as a small country, Taiwan must depend on its strong competitiveness, wisdom, high quality and marketing to gain a niche in the international community, adding that his administration is redoubling its efforts to promote economic development and financial reforms.
Describing Taiwan as "not an isolated island but a world island," the president said he is hopeful that Taiwan will be able to strengthen substantive exchanges and cooperative ties with all the CACCI members.