13-R211

2013 -- S 0632

Enacted 04/09/13

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT GOVERNOR CHAFEE, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COALITION OF NORTHEASTERN GOVERNORS, EXPLORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL OFFICE IN TAIPEI, TAIWAN

Introduced By: Senators Crowley, Walaska, Cote, Sosnowski, and Sheehan

Date Introduced: March 06, 2013

     WHEREAS, Taiwan, the United States, and, in particular, the state of Rhode Island share

a historical and close relationship; and

     WHEREAS, Together they share the common values of freedom, democracy, human

rights, and rule of law; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan's relationship with the United States is marked by strong bilateral

trade and educational and cultural exchanges, including vibrant tourism; and

     WHEREAS, Total U.S. trade with Taiwan in 2011 was $67.2 billion, making Taiwan the

10th largest U.S. trading partner; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan was the United States' 13th largest goods export market in 2011,

purchasing in excess of $26 billion of goods and services; and

     WHEREAS, The Taiwan market is a key priority for state export promotion programs,

with 14 states maintaining trade offices in Taipei; and

     WHEREAS, The U.S. International Trade Commission and the Institute for International

Economics estimate that a U.S.-Taiwan Free Trade agreement would increase U.S. exports to

Taiwan by the amount of $3 billion to $6 billion; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's 2011 exports to Taiwan stand at $55 million or 2.4 percent

of total state export, having grown 223 percent since 2008, with strong potential for further

growth; and

     WHEREAS, The U.S. Commerce Department reported that in 2011, 290,000 travelers

from Taiwan spent over $1.1 billion in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan's recent participation in the United States Visa Waiver Program,

which enables Taiwan's citizens to travel to the United States for tourism or business stays of 90

days or less, without a visa, increases tourism and business; and

     WHEREAS, The people of Taiwan and Rhode Island look forward to an even stronger

friendship and business relationship over the next several decades; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

respectfully requests that Governor Lincoln Chafee, as 2013 Chairman of the Coalition of

Northeastern Governors ("CONEG"), explore the establishment of a New England Regional

Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, Taiwan, focused upon facilitation of two-way trade,

tourism, and investment between Taiwan and the New England States; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Lincoln Chafee, Governor of

Rhode Island, The Honorable Anne Hung, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural

Office in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Coalition of Northeastern Governors.

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LC01975

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