Taipei, April 22 (CNA) With the transformation of Taiwan's industry and the liberalization of its overall trade system, Taiwan is bound to reinvent itself from a production base to an operations, research and development hub in the Asian-Pacific region, President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday.
The president made the remarks when he received the winners of the "Golden Roots" awards for entrepreneurs at the Presidential Office.
The awards are for outstanding business people who have kept their financial roots in Taiwan.
The president said that it was important that as they pursue business growth, the business people keep their operations headquarters, research and development centers, and talented individuals and core technologies in Taiwan.
The president noted that Taiwan must reach out if it wants to develop a niche in the international market, and that this applies to diplomatic work as well as in the development of its businesses.
The president said that with Taiwan's excellent geographic location, free and democratic political system, open and dynamic society, as well as its ample pool of human resources, it is capable of becoming one of the most dynamic and innovative members of the global trade system.