STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2036

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.R. No. 231

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns, to which was referred H.R. No. 231 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO ENTER INTO A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH TAIWAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to increase the opportunities for trade between Hawaii and Taiwan by urging the President of the United States to enter into a free trade agreement with Taiwan.

     The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and a concerned individual supported this measure.

     Your Committee finds that a free trade agreement would eliminate or reduce tariffs and other trade barriers between Hawaii and Taiwan and establish a platform from which to export goods and services into the Greater China region and Southeast Asia.

     Your Committee has amended this resolution by removing a reference to the People's Republic of China.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 231, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 231, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair