Bill Text: VA SJR229 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Virginia-Taiwan Trade Office.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-08 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ229ER) [SJR229 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SJR229-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, on April 24, 2023, Governor Glenn Youngkin established the Virginia-Taiwan Trade Office to serve as the official representation of the Commonwealth in Taiwan and to facilitate services related to economic development and trade; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia-Taiwan Trade Office is designed to promote the Commonwealth's agricultural, industrial, and commercial products and services to Taiwan, as well as generate new business opportunities, sales, and investments across various industries, serving the interests of both the residents of the Commonwealth and the people of Taiwan; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia-Taiwan Trade Office is the Commonwealth's fourth international office, joining offices in Germany, Japan, and South Korea; and
WHEREAS, Virginia's relationship with Taiwan is a meaningful driver of the overall partnership between the United States and Taiwan, with recent growth in annual product exports from the Commonwealth significantly outpacing that of the broader nation; and
WHEREAS, international trade plays an essential role in maintaining the vitality of Virginia's economy, and the Commonwealth and Taiwan share numerous common values; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan is a thriving democracy of 23.5 million people with a dynamic and growing economy that produces many of the items essential for 21st-century life, a strong culture of innovation, the infrastructure to support cutting-edge advancements in a variety of sectors, and a longstanding reputation as a trusted partner in a rules-based global order; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of the Virginia-Taiwan Trade Office, coupled with the historic investments in infrastructure improvements at the Port of Virginia, will position Virginia and Taiwan to increase TEU container traffic and strengthen supply chain relationships; and
WHEREAS, the total value of Virginia and Taiwan's trade in 2022 amounted to $1.73 billion in goods, and increasing opportunities for international trade will continue to position companies in both the Commonwealth and Taiwan for future success; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia-Taiwan Trade Office for the opening of its office and commencement of its important work to strengthen the Commonwealth's economy by facilitating international trade; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia-Taiwan Trade Office as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the opening of the office and for its ongoing achievements.
