Timothy Ma, chairman of Kindom Construction, was invited to give a speech on the proposed cross-strait economic cooperation framework agreement on May 12 as a part of the College of Business-initiated “wealth management and start your own business” seminars and courses. Ma was a graduate of Business Administration Department. The series of speeches launched by the college will feature many national and international-acclaimed private business owners to share their experience on business management to TKU students. Other speakers that will be joining the seminars include Chao Teng-hsiung, chairman of the Taipei-based Far Glory Group and Lai Shiao-yi from Mentor Hair. The two will give speeches on May 26 and June 2, respectively.

The main topic of Ma’s speech was on the opportunity and challenges to construction industry in Taiwan after the ECFA is singed. Ma carefully analyzed the pros and cons of the signing of ECFA to Taiwan’s construction business and about the possible cooperation between local business and their counterparts in China. Ma said he believes the two economics will eventually combine after three stages: “signing of free trade agreement,” “Taxation and Customs Union” and “cross-strait Common Market.” Ma is optimistic that the signing of ECFA will help Taiwan broaden its market and provide its high quality manpower to other nations and ultimately excelled in international competition. His speech is widely-welcomed by the participants. Ma said it is a good sign for students to better understand the proposed trade agreement with China. He also gave advice to soon-to-graduates, asking them to sharpen their knowledge on their specialties while at the same time learn as many new skills as possible. Tsai Wei-hsiang, a senior in the International Trade Department, who listened to the whole speech on Ma, said he now has a deeper understanding of the ECFA. ( ~Yeh Yun-kai )