American State Offices Association

With close to US$50 billion in two-way trade between the United States and Taiwan in the year 2001, the two regions are very important trade partners to each other. The United States is Taiwan's largest trade partner and Taiwan is the seventh largest trade partner of the US. To help promote business with Taiwan from their specific region of the United States, numerous US State governments have established representative offices in Taiwan. In July 1992, these state government representative offices joined together to establish the American State Office's Association (ASOA) in Taiwan. Since 1992, ASOA membership has increased and now includes all 17 of the US state and city government representative offices in Taiwan.

The economic and industrial strength and diversity represented by the 22 ASOA member states is impressive. If the 22 ASOA member states were a country, its GDP would be US$3.4 trillion, making it the world's third largest economy behind the US and Japan. Although ASOA members represent less than half of all US States, they account for almost two-thirds of US exports to Taiwan. Reflecting the diverse nature of the state economies they represent, the industry sectors represented by ASOA members are extremely diverse, including everything from high-tech industries such as information technology, biotech, and aerospace, to agriculture, environmental protection, and tourism. Given this economic strength and diversity, ASOA is well-equipped to conduct business with Taiwan across a wide range of industries.

The overall objective of ASOA is to facilitate long-term commercial relations exchange between Taiwan and ASOA member states. ASOA also has the following specific objective:

   ● To promote a positive image of the State Offices.

   ● To participate in joint promotions of mutual interest. These
       might include areas such as Tourism, Education, Cultural
       Exchanges, Trade and    Reverse Investment.

   ● To maintain mutual ties and communication with various local
      associations, local government offices, the American Institute
       in Taiwan, the American Chamber of Commerce.

   ● To collect evaluate and disseminate information of common
       interest to states.

   ● To maintain the good reputation of the ASOA and its
       members.

ASOA members are in Taiwan to promote the economic interests and serve the constituents of their home states. Each ASOA member has its own specific objectives and priorities which determine the sectors and services they emphasize. However, most ASOA members provide some combination of the following services:

● Arrange and participate in commercial events such as trade
      missions and trade shows
● Provide information on markets, investment, business
      opportunities, and contacts.
● Provide tourism and study abroad information of member states
● Provide logistical assistance to US companies visiting Taiwan
      for export and to Taiwanese companies visiting the US to
      import   from or invest in the US.

Each members' service may vary slightly, so please contact your state representative for details (click here to see a list of state representatives). To request service from your state representative, please complete and submit ASOA's online service request form .