Statement of Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) on the 22nd Annual US-ROC Business Conference with U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson

PR9848E | Date: 1998-11-09

"I'm very pleased to join Secretary Richardson in Taiwan to participate in the 22nd Annual US-ROC Business Conference, and look forward to a productive series of meetings.

"Secretary Richardson's presence and participation in this conference reaffirms the United States' continued support for Taiwan's efforts to expand democracy, increase social pluralism, and create a dynamic free market economy. I hope to encourage Taiwan to continue efforts to liberalize its economy and open up new sectors of their market. I am confident that if they follow this path, the result will be new opportunities for businesses in both the United States and Taiwan.

"It is extremely encouraging to see that Taiwan has survived the Asian financial crisis better than any other free economy in the region. With growth forecast at well over 5%, Taiwan is being called upon to help Southeast Asia pull out of its financial decline. Because of this, opportunities abound for American firms, and I look forward to discussing the role our businesses can play.

"I'm particularly pleased to be co-chairing the seminar on Information Technology and Telecommunications. Right now is a perfect time to be looking at the issues of telecommunications and technology, and as a leading high tech nation, Taiwan is the perfect place to be holding these meetings.

"The world of technology and telecommunications is very different today than it was even five years ago. A rapidly growing and extremely competitive global high tech industry is not only changing the international business environment, but also having a dramatic effect on the lives of people across the globe. The opportunities for economic and job growth in this area are tremendous, and I am confident that our discussions will help to shed light on the expanding business opportunities."

Rockefeller serves as one of the two honorary co-chairs of the US-ROC Business Council.