Taipei, Dec. 26 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday that the government has a responsibility and obligation to help strengthen the structures of grassroots financial institutions for the nation's sustainable agricultural development.
The president made the remarks when he received the winners of the "outstanding people in the agricultural field" awards. The winners were accompanied to the reception at the Presidential Office by Lee Chin-lung, chairman of the Council of Agriculture.
The president noted that since Taiwan became the 144th member of the World Trade Organization, its agricultural products have to face stiffer challenges from foreign competition, although at the same time, it also has a better opportunity to export Taiwan's agricultural products. "Whether it is agricultural products or rural industry as a whole, " the president said, "as long as we can make good use of our distinctive features, Taiwan will have an international competitive edge, " citing as examples Taiwan's "black pearl" bell fruit, butterfly orchids, and oolung tea.
Local agricultural festivals, such as the lotus festival in Paihe, in southern Taiwan, and the Luku Tea Festival, have combined the concept of local culture, leisure and ecology, which has attracted large numbers of tourists, he claimed.
He also said that the development and regeneration of the agricultural and fishery industry hinges on the nation's excellent technology, quality and branding.