Taiwan business associations urge political settlement

Six major business and industrial associations in Taiwan on Tuesday issued a joint statement that urged the island's politicians to cease the current political strife and restore the development of Taiwan's economy.

Chiefs or senior representative of the six associations -- the Federation of Industries, the General Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Industry and Commerce, the Association of Small and Medium Enterprise, the Taiwan Federation of Industry, and the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association -- attended a press conference to release the statement.

The statement is issued against the backdrop of complexity faced by the island's economy and the chaos in Taiwan's political field that has stalled economic and social development, according to its authors.

It called on ruling and opposition parties in Taiwan to set aside political confrontation and stabilize the political situation for the interests of the island's economy and public.

Moreover, the statement said all parties should talk and set a timetable to deal with procedures regarding a cross-Strait agreement on service trade, so that the agreement will be approved at the earliest possible date to boost Taiwan's economy.

"All works in Taiwan should be set back to normal as soon as possible," the statement said, warning that unstable politics and inefficient administrative enforcement would undermine business owners' confidence and discourage overseas investments.

At the press conference, representatives of the six associations expressed their concern and worry over the current situation in Taiwan.

Chang Pen-Tsao, chairman of the General Chamber of Commerce, told the conference that representatives from the associations are also planning to visit chiefs of Taiwan's legislative and administrative authorities as well as the island's major parties to seek progress.

A series of proposals have been lingering with the island's legislative authority because of differences among political parities in Taiwan.

The situation has been exacerbated after Wang Jin-pyng, the chief legislator, last month became suspected of involvement in an illegal lobbying scandal.