Taipei, Sept. 10 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Friday that he looks forward to seeing substantive Taiwan-Britain relations grow ever-closer and more cordial.
Chen made the remarks while meeting with Lord Mayor of the City of London Robert Finch, who is currently on an investment -promotion visit in Taipei.
Noting that Britain has been one of the most favored investment destinations in Europe for Taiwan businessmen, Chen said he hopes Taiwan-Britain trade and economic cooperation, as well as exchanges in other fields, can further expand in the future.
Quoting official tallies, Chen said Taiwan-Britain trade amounted to US$4.35 billion last year, making Britain Taiwan's 13th-largest trading partner in the world and its third-largest trading partner in Europe. As of April this year, Taiwan had invested more than US$460 million in Britain.
During the same time frame, Chen went on, Britain had invested up to US$2.29 billion in Taiwan, making it Taiwan's sixth-largest source of foreign investment.
Chen said he earnestly hopes that Finch's visit can help further bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
The president also mentioned that he has special feelings for London, as it is the first foreign city he has ever been to. "More than 30 years ago, when I was still a maritime lawyer, I traveled to London to visit clients. It was my first-ever overseas trip and I have fond memories of that visit," Chen said.
For his part, Finch said the main purpose of his visit is to offer recommendations for strengthening Taiwan-Britain economic and financial relations, particularly in financial services and banking management and supervision.
Finch, who is also the head of the Corporation of London, which provides local government services for the City of London, said Britain has great experience in financial services development worthy of Taiwan's reference.
He further said he feels Taiwan and Britain can also beef up exchanges and cooperation in the cultural and educational domains.
Finch arrived in Taipei Thursday at the head of a group of British business executives.
The main purpose of the visit is to attract Taiwan business groups to invest in Britain. While here, Finch and his entourage will organize an investment seminar and attend a symposium on public-private partnerships to be sponsored by the British Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei.