CETRA to dispatch trade mission to the Middle East in May

Taipei, March 6, 2003 (CENS)--The semi-official trade promotion organization China External Trade Development Council (CETRA) is scheduled to dispatch a trade mission to the Middle East in May, thus developing the market opportunities in the region, CETRA officials said yesterday.

Comprising 20 manufacturers, the trade mission expects to have the opportunity to visit Iraq. It also plants to call on other neighboring nations such as Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arab, and the United Arab Emirates (UAEs).

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) also planned to send a trade mission to the Middle East but this plan was cancelled due to the unstable situation in the Middle East. CETRA thought the war would not last long and mapped out a three stage trade promotion project.

During the pre-war period, the trade mission will promote sales of gas masks, preserved foods, medical equipment, personal protection goods, wireless communications, GPS (global positioning system) products, and navigation products. During the war period, the trade mission expects to sell medicines, medical equipment, biotechnology testing equipment, and emergency lights.

After the war is ended, the trade mission thought sales potentials are high for Taiwan made textile, medicines, machinery, hardware, hand tools, building materials, lighting equipment, auto parts and accessories, communications equipment, information technology (IT), and generators.

Due to the possible war, Iraq has suspended its trade along the boarder with Turkey. CETRA's trade office in Istanbul assessed that the war would not last long. The situation in the Middle East will change dramatically after the war.