BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AFTER a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Taiwan Expo St. Kitts and Nevis has returned and a contingent from the Asian island has descended on the Federation with the aim of building connections for trade and commerce.
A total of more than 30 businesses from the two nations will be on display and this is significant of the longstanding tradition of the development of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The push to make St. Kitts and Nevis energy efficient through solar energy is taking center stage at the Expo, as two companies from Taiwan will display their products at the three-day event.
While speaking at the opening of the Expo at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort yesterday (Nov. 5), Michael Lin, Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to St. Kitts and Nevis underscored that the event is timely in the push to “revitalize and strengthen the trade relations and economic development” between the two countries.
Underscoring the role the two solar power companies can play in solar development, the Ambassador noted that the products on offer could assist in meeting the needs of citizens and residents in the Federation.
There are also 24 other entities from Taiwan participating in the Trade Show and they are spread across electronics, food and beverage, skin care products, and sport equipment, among other areas of focus.
Many of those businesses are not ideally in the Federation, but they would have sent their products and catalogues for display at the Expo.
“Although not attending in person, they have hired local workers to introduce on their behalf,” the Ambassador told the gathering in the lobby of the Marriott Resort.
Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Denzil Douglas highlighted the importance of the longstanding relationship with Taiwan in the development of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“This Government of which I am a part is always thrilled when there is an opportunity to collaborate with you of the Republic of China on Taiwan in your mutual quest to build partnerships in the area of business, tourism, trade, services, agriculture, cultural reciprocity, among other areas,” Dr. Douglas noted.
Taiwan has long been one of the important pillars of the Federation’s development, assisting in a number of areas from energy to agriculture.
While reiterating his congratulations for the staging of the event, Dr. Douglas reassured that the relationship between the two islands would only “get better with time”.
Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Geoffrey Hanley also addressed the opening of the Expo where he said he is looking forward to visiting the island to see how they could further advance the development of St. Kitts and Nevis.
A number of Taiwan’s representatives from neighboring islands was also in attendance.
The Expo wraps up tomorrow.
