Taiwan and Mongolia are
contemplating setting up direct charter flights to promote bilateral tourism
and trade relations, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official in Taipei
has said. “Both sides are keen on developing closer exchanges and boosting
tourism. Currently we are in talks on possible charter flights, which would
benefit tourists from both sides if the deal goes through,” he said.

The direct charters would lower air fares between the two destinations to
around USD500 from the current USD1, 000, Lin said. At present, visitors must
enter Mongolia via third countries, such as South Korea or China. About 2,000
Taiwanese tourists visit Mongolia annually, Lin said. Charter flights would not
only benefit tourists but also 400 Mongolian students in Taiwan.
Although bilateral trade volume is small, the USD8.02 million in trade between
Taiwan and Mongolia in the first half of 2010 represented a 207 percent growth
compared to the first six months of 2009.

The 9th Taiwan-Mongolia Joint Economic Meeting, held in Ulaanbaatar last month,
was attended by more than 100 participants from Taiwan”s Chinese International
Economic Cooperation Association and its counterpart the Mongolian Chamber of
Commerce and Industry. The next meeting will be held in Taiwan.