2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 71
BY SENATOR RISER
A RESOLUTION
To commend the Republic of China, known as Taiwan, for positive economic relations with
Louisiana.
WHEREAS, according to 2015 figures, Taiwan is the fifth largest export market in
Asia for Louisiana and the ninth largest trading partner with the United States as a whole;
and
WHEREAS, in 2015, Louisiana exported to Taiwan nearly 393.2 million dollars
worth of raw materials, primarily petroleum and coal products, chemicals, and agricultural
products; and
WHEREAS, with Taiwan as the leading importer of United States agricultural
products and agribusiness continuing to be one of the leading industries in Louisiana, a
natural mutuality has developed which strengthens the economies in both Louisiana and
Taiwan; and
WHEREAS, as evidence of the close economic ties between Louisiana and Taiwan,
Louisiana maintains a trade office in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan; and
WHEREAS, over half of the exports from Louisiana to Taiwan are agricultural
products and Taiwanese entrepreneurs have made considerable investment in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, among Taiwanese entrepreneurs that have made considerable
investment in Louisiana are the West Lake Group, Formosa Plastics, and Nanya Products
whose initial efforts in Louisiana petrochemical and plastics industries in Louisiana began
in the 1980s; and
WHEREAS, these and other Taiwanese enterprises have shown considerable
potential and continue to boost investment and create jobs in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan affords entrepreneurs who choose to invest in their economy
complete industrial supply chains, a high concentration of industrial clusters, and a
consolidated manufacturer base; and
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 71 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, the Phillippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia
surround the South China Sea in the Western Pacific; and
WHEREAS, while countries have clashed over trade routes through the South China
Sea for decades, Taiwan has proven a strategic ally in the crucial area of these sea lanes that
are essential to Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, 2017 marks the thirty-second anniversary of the sister-state relationship
between Taiwan and Louisiana, as well as the thirty-seventh anniversary of the sister-city
relationship between the Taiwanese city of Taichung and the city of Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, vibrant relations between Louisiana and Taiwan hold great promise for
both Louisiana companies and workers to continue strengthening this partnership in
prosperity.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend the Republic of China, known as Taiwan, for positive economic
relations with Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Mr. Louis M. Huang, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
Houston, Texas.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 2 of 2