TAIPEI: Following protests by tens of thousands last month against a trade deal Taipei hopes to sign with Beijing, the "Ministry of Economic Affairs" (MOEA) yesterday began promoting the benefits of signing the agreement to its staff, so they can sell it to the public.

The MOEA hopes that the internal briefings will equip its workers with the ability to introduce the economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) to their friends and relatives, and, through the interpersonal network, let more people understand and not be afraid of the trade deal.

"The ECFA is not a cure-all, but a painkiller," said Huang Chih-peng, director-general of the external trade bureau who conducted a briefing for about 150 people yesterday.

Huang said that it is very bad and harmful for Taiwan if other trading partners that have signed free trade agreements with the mainland can enjoy a tariff-free access, while Taiwanese products are subject to tariffs.

Huang said signing the ECFA with the mainland "can stop the pain." He added that the trade pact can also be a shot in the arm, because Taiwan's exports to the mainland will enjoy tariff-free status while other trading partners will not.

As instructed by "Economics Minister" Shih Yen-shiang, the MOEA will conduct several briefings on the ECFA before formal cross-Straits negotiations on the agreement are scheduled to begin on January 20.

Taiwan and the mainland are poised to sign the trade pact in the first half of this year to pave the way for further liberalization of trade between the two sides.

However, doubts and fears about the negative impact of the trade deal have been mounting, with recent protests by tens of thousands.

Opponents say they fear the agreement would flood Taiwan with cheaper mainland products and cause job losses by making it too economically dependent on the mainland.

This has prompted the government and the ruling party to seek ways to assuage the public's misgivings about the pact.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 01/08/2010 page2)