Taoyuan, Marshall Islands sign MOU on agricultural exports

Taipei, March 12 (CNA) A memorandum of understanding (MOU) for promoting cooperation in exports of agricultural produce from Taoyuan to Taiwan ally the Marshall Islands was signed between a supplier and seller Tuesday, with nine tons of fruit and vegetables to be exported to the Pacific Ocean nation for the first time.

The MOU was signed between Li Chuan-tien (李傳添), representative of the Taoyuan Bade Third Agriculture Production and Marketing Group, and Lin Hsueh-ming (林學銘), operator of the Marshall Islands Formosa Group, witnessed by Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) and Marshall Islands' Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Neijon Rema Edwards.

Cheng said Taoyuan is an important vegetable and fruit production base in northern Taiwan, supplying relatively high-priced fresh produce for local consumption, as well as for the cities of Taipei and New Taipei.

Li Chuan-tien (李傳添, front, left), Lin Hsueh-ming (林學銘, front, right)

Although at just nine tons, the first batch of produce to be exported is not much, it will allow Marshall Islands residents to purchase quality farm products from Taoyuan, Cheng said, adding that the country is a chain of coral atolls and is very much in need of fresh vegetables.

Li Chuan-tien (李傳添, left), Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦, second left), Marshall Islands' Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Neijon Rema Edwards (second right) and Lin Hsueh-ming (林學銘, right)

Through the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin, a Taiwanese who operates a supermarket in the Marshall Islands, has been able to acquire fruit and vegetables from Li, Cheng said, adding that it is also the first time that Taoyuan produce has been exported to the Taiwan ally.