PREAMBLE

The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of Belize, hereinafter referred to collectively as “the Parties”;

AGREEING to formalize trade relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and   Belize, by entering into an Agreement on Economic Co-operation covering co-operation and trade in selected goods;

CONSIDERING that the Parties are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO);

HAVING REGARD to the rights and obligations of Belize under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Establishing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy;

CONSIDERING the desirability of dynamic and balanced economic and trade relations based on mutual benefits and taking into account the differences in the size of their respective economies, in particular, Belize’s status as a Less Developed Country in CARICOM and a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) as defined by the United Nations;

ACKNOWLEDGING the importance attached by the Parties to the regional and sub-regional integration processes aimed at facilitating their development and competitiveness in international trade;

RECOGNISING that trade and economic co-operation are important and necessary elements for reinforcing bilateral relations and for promoting and protecting investments;

COMMITTED to strengthening the existing friendly and cultural relations between them;

HAVE AGREED as follows: