AIMS

The Council aims to promote bilateral trade and investment ties between the UK and Taiwan by encouraging closer links between business in the two markets, by dissemination of relevant market information and by cooperation over the removal of impediments to market access.

There are three levels of engagement for the British participants.

1. THE FULL COUNCIL

The Taiwan British Business Council meets once a year, alternately in the UK and Taiwan, to bring together business representatives from the two sides. The UK Secretariat is provided by UK Trade & Investment（UKTI）. The Taiwan Secretariat is supervised by the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs in Taiwan. The Council has two co-Chairman, one from each side who lead the work on a formal communiqué to Ministers and supervise the sessions of the Council.

2. THE TBBC UK STEERING COMMITTEE

The UK co-chair of the TBBC also chairs the UK Steering Committee of the TBBC which comprises a core membership of 10-15 senior business representatives which will meet once a quarter to work with UKTI on activities designed to promote the aims of the Council, and to prepare for the formal bilateral meetings each year.

Members of the Steering Committee are appointed by UKTI, in consultation with the Chairman, to represent a cross-section of British business interests, and are expected to help the strategic direction of UKTI work on Taiwan. The expectation is that members will normally serve for a period of up to 3 years. Membership may include representatives of regional or business organisations. The secretariat is provided by UKTI, who are also responsible for liaison with the Taiwanese Secretariat of the full council.

3. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

The Steering Committee will reach out to all British firms with an interest in trade or investment with Taiwan by signing up as many as possible as associate members able to receive regular and relevant market, economic and political briefings from UKTI and the British Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei; to have the opportunity to attend Taiwan-related business events in the UK; and to participate in the formal annual meetings of the Council. Such associate members will also be encouraged to provide feedback on issues impacting their business. The Steering Committee will keep under review the scope for eventually moving this category of membership to a subscription-based organisation.

CONCLUSION

The Steering Committee is required to assess progress in delivering the Council’s aims; to identify and report on barriers to such progress; and to reassess, at regular intervals whether changes are required to the UK underpinning of the work of the council.