Ma Ying-jeou: Signing Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement will help cross-strait peace development

Xinhua Taipei, November 19 (reporter Chen Hua) Taiwan authorities leader Ma Ying-jeou said 19th, the cross-strait signed Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) to ensure that Taiwan's products in the mainland market share, significantly reduce import and export costs of Taiwanese enterprises, enhance product competitiveness, Taiwan's economic growth rate is estimated to increase by 1.65% to 1.72%, creating jobs for 260,000 to 270,000 people.　　At the same time, the establishment of cross-strait economic and trade normalization relationship will create greater space and opportunity for Taiwanese enterprises to develop peacefully. He said the administration has drawn up a mentoring programme for Taiwan's strong industries, which may be affected by the ECFA.　　At the same time, will also be in negotiations with the mainland to strive for a longer adjustment period, to set "early harvest clause", so that the disadvantaged industries have enough time to upgrade technology, product upgrades. Ma Ying-jeou said this 19th when he met with the Chairman and members of the Taiwan Industrial Association. He said there has been a growing number of intra-Asian trade in recent years. Taiwan and the mainland currently have 130 billion of dollars in trade volume each year, which is the main reason why we should negotiate ECFA with the mainland. Since January 1 next year, the free trade Agreement between ASEAN and China has entered into force, that is, the so-called "ASEAN plus 1", the future may be combined with Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia and even India, the gradual expansion of East Asian regional economic integration, Taiwan must be prudent to avoid marginalization in the process.