Trade organizations to open cross-Strait offices

TAIPEI - Two non-governmental economic and trade organizations across the Taiwan Straits are expected to set up offices on each other's side, negotiators from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan announced on Tuesday.

The two organizations are Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association and the mainland's Association of Economy and Trade across Taiwan Straits.

Gao Yan, the mainland's chief representative to the cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Committee (ECC), and Taiwan's chief representative Cho Shih-chao, jointly made the announcement at a press conference after the fifth regular meeting of the ECC, which started on Tuesday in Taipei.

Cho said both sides will prepare the paperwork and authorities will complete the approval process. The two organizations' cross-Strait offices should be operational during the first half of 2014.

The move marks the second phase for trade organizations from both sides to set up offices on each other's side.

The Taiwan Trade Center has established offices in mainland cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Qingdao. The mainland's  Chamber of Commerce of Machinery and Electronic Products has set up an office in Taipei.