Introduction

On 9 December 2008, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Government Procurement adopted the accession of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei) to the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA). After completing the relevant domestic legislative procedures, Chinese Taipei delivered its accession document to the WTO in June 2009 and formally became the forty-first signatory to the GPA on 15 July 2009.

Accession to the GPA could be a difficult decision for many developing countries. This is mainly due to the fear that the accession could lead to economic losses in their countries and negatively affect the development of their industries. Many developing countries might have reservations about whether there will be recognizable benefit to gain. Chinese Taipei faced similar difficulties when it had to make a decision about participating in the GPA.

However, looking back on the decision, it must be said that the decision to accede to the GPA was the right one for Chinese Taipei. Although it is not easy to quantify the economic gains arising from the accession to the GPA comprehensively, speaking generally, it could be fairly argued that the accession has been beneficial to Chinese Taipei from many perspectives.

This chapter will examine the factors contributing to Chinese Taipei's accession to the GPA, the commitments made by Chinese Taipei under the GPA, and the qualitative benefits to Chinese Taipei as a result of its accession.