Remarks by AIT Director Stephen M. Young at the Golden Merchants Award Ceremony November 1, 2006

OT0619E | Date: 2006-11-01

I am very pleased to learn that my team at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is among the five organizations that received the award for "Outstanding Foreign Commerce Agency" for 2006.  I am honored to accept this on behalf of AIT and all the other winners, namely, the Embassy of the Republic of Guatemala, and the Trade Offices of Germany, Slovakia, and the Philippines.

All the organizations present here pursue similar commercial goals:  to develop the business and economic relationships between our peoples and the people of Taiwan.  At AIT, our Commercial, Economic, and Agricultural Sections work together on a daily basis to provide comprehensive strategies to develop this close relationship.  Our Consular Section also helps to facilitate the travel of hundreds of thousands of businesspeople and tourists from Taiwan to the United States.  Taiwan is among our top eight markets for U.S. goods and services, and at AIT we devote much attention to trade.  I'm sure you will find a similar situation in the offices of my fellow awardees.

For all of us, business remains an important aspect of our overall relationship, and it is encouraging to know that our companies and products are welcome here.  I'm confident I can speak for everyone here today in saying that that the relationships are strong and business is good.  We all appreciate this award and will continue to dedicate ourselves to maintaining the excellent relationship we have developed with Taiwan.

I would like to thank the organizers at the General Chamber of Commerce for their support and wish everyone continued health and prosperity.  Thank you.