asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the substantial reduction and in some cases the elimination by Taiwan of its tariff barriers he will initiate as a matter of urgency a marketing drive into their country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Taiwanese Tariff Barriers.
24.
As I indicated in my reply of 24 June, 1987, the Irish Government recognise the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China. I also indicated the services provided by CTT to exporters wishing to trade with Taiwan and pointed out that our activity in this area is in line with the practice of the common commercial policy by the European Commission which also recognises only the Government of the People's Republic of China.
While total trade between Taiwan and Ireland has increased from IR£14.2 million in 1980 to IR£57.4 million in 1986, the balance of trade, in Taiwan's favour, has increased from IR£4.8 million to IR£35.9 million in the same period.
Over the last few years Taiwan has reduced tariffs on a large number of products. Nonetheless tariffs remain high on other items, many of which come from sectors where Ireland already has a strong export record i.e. agricultural and electronic goods. Tariff barriers are only one factor affecting the level of Irish exports to Taiwan where a strict import regime, though liberalised somewhat, still exists. CTT and most Irish exporting companies regard Taiwan as a difficult market to penetrate.
Logistical problems and the cost of breaking into and servicing such a market are considerable even for the most experienced Irish exporters. Nonetheless, I recognise the growing potential of the Taiwan market for Irish exports.
CTT constantly monitor the Taiwan market and provide market support services to Irish exporters wishing to trade with Taiwan. CTT has made arrangements to be provided with essential market information on Taiwan and CTT can also arrange for the necessary support services during visits there by individual Irish exporters. CTT will continue to devote an appropriate level of resources to this developing market and, in fact, two separate CTT organised trade missions visited Taiwan in the past three months.