Since its establishment in 2003, the Taiwan WTO&RTA Center has actively worked to assist the government in its participation in the Doha Negotiations, and to establish the necessary “hardware” and “software” facilities required for research. The Taiwan WTO&RTA Center has undertaken the systematic analysis and collation of basic data related to WTO and RTA issues. By building on existing foundations, the Center has continued to prepare a wide range of supporting materials for the reference of government agencies. The Center has also invited outside researchers to participate in specific research projects. In this way, the Center is able to provide up-to-date information on WTO and RTA issues, and also to provide consulting services with respect to the latest developments.

Since its establishment in 2004, the Department of Public Relations and WTO Training has hosted or co-hosted more than 20 training programs related to the WTO and RTA issues each year. These activities included  international conferences and seminars at the regional or national level. Academic exchange activities have been arranged by involving leading overseas scholars and international think tanks. The Center has been able to provide ongoing support for various government agencies, thereby helping them to cultivate the human resources they need for WTO and RTA activities. The Center has also contributed to the enhancement of the overall level of capabilities for participation in international trade by trade unions and individuals in all sectors. By cooperating with local universities, the Center has also helped to cultivate the manpower for international trade, thereby strengthening the foundations for Taiwan’s becoming conversant with WTO procedures.

The Taiwan WTO&RTA Center established its own in-house library in September 2003. This was followed in December 2003 by the establishment of a website on the WTO, and the release of the Center’s first WTO e-paper. Besides an overview of WTO organization and activities, the website also covers WTO agreements, the latest developments in key WTO and RTA issues, WTO and RTA-related research, conference records and submissions by individual Members in WTO negotiations. The information collated by the Center has been integrated to form a WTO databank, so that the website provides effective decision-making support. The website has already become an important resource for international trade research and for individuals and organizations in all sectors to access WTO and RTA-related news and information.

In addition to collecting information and materials related to the WTO and RTA issues, the Taiwan WTO&RTA Center Library has also been actively acquiring trade-related books, periodicals and other materials. The Library currently houses a collection of over 6,000 volumes of WTO and international trade-related books, around 150,000 copies of WTO documents, 60 journals, and 20 e-databanks..

The Taiwan WTO&RTA Center releases a weekly e-paper that covers the latest developments in WTO and RTA affairs, as well as occasional e-forums and special editions focusing on hot issues. These e-papers have already become an important source of WTO and RTA-related information for individuals and organizations of all sectors, as well as providing a platform for exchange and interaction. The Center’s weekly e-paper currently has more than 15,000 subscribers, a figure which reflects the gradual increase of public interest on WTO and RTA affairs.