By Lesroy W. Williams Observer Reporter
” (Frigate Bay, St. Kitts – The Ambassador from Taiwan, His Excellency Rong Chuan Wu, recently praised the relationship between the his nation and St .Kitts and Nevis, while Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Sam Condor and Minister of International Trade, the Hon. Timothy Harris, said that Taiwan has been their first and longest ally since independence 25 years ago.” The exchange of mutual respect and friendship was highlighted at the Taiwan Innovation Show held at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel in the St. Vincent Room on Sept. 26. The trade show ran for two days, Sept. 26-27. The Governor General, His Excellency, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, Member of the CCM (Nevis), the Hon. Vance Amory, Constituency #2 Representative, Dwyer Astaphan, Minister of Agriculture, Housing and Fisheries, the Hon. Cedric Liburd, other government officials, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and distinguished guest, gathered for the display of Taiwanese products. Ambassador Wu said that while the average economic growth in the world in 2007 was 3 percent, Taiwan enjoyed an economic growth of 5.7 percent for the same period. “We produce 65 percent of notebook computers in the world, 80 percent of PDA’s and 60 percent of LCD monitors in the World,” Ambassador Wu said. For the last 25 years, Taiwan and St.Kitts and Nevis have enjoyed mutually beneficial, friendly relations and Taiwan has received generous support and acceptance as part of the international community from St. Kitts and Nevis, Ambassador Wu said. “We are small, but we are sincere. We are small,l but we are working hard. We are small, but we contribute to the international community. That is why we treasure the friendship from the government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” Ambassador Wu said. The Hon. Sam Condor, deputizing for Prime Minister Douglas who was off island, said that while St. Kitts and Nevis celebrated 25 years of Independence, they are also celebrating 25 years of friendship with Taiwan. He said that he was particularly honoured that the President of Taiwan sent an envoy to the Federation to be part of the Silver Jubilee Independence celebrations. “This trade show is about improving our competitiveness in the international community,” Mr. Condor said. “Taiwan is playing a leading part in trade in the World.” Minister of International Trade, Timothy Harris, said that Taiwan was among the top 20 exporters in the world, the top 5 exporters in the world of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and a significant player in the global economy. “The more we invest in our trading, the more we invest in education, the more we invest in terms of trial and error in development, the more we are going to be able to succeed and bring the fruits of development to our population,” Mr. Harris said. The entrepreneurial zeal and interest displayed by Taiwan is an example for us in St. Kitts and Nevis to follow, he said. “Taiwan has been an active partner in the socio-economic landscape of St. Kitts and Nevis for the past 25 years,” Mr. Harris said. Taiwan has risen to economic heights and commanding power despite their denial of a place and voice at the United Nations and despite missiles pointed at them, Mr. Harris said. “Trade is the essence of life. We cannot abstain from participation in the world economy,” he said. The trade show had on display some of the latest and sleekest gadgets in technology including laptop computers, cell phones, PDA’s, DVD players, radios, induction cook tops and china ware all made in Taiwan. ” “
