Manila, April 22 -- Taiwan conveyed its interest to boost economic exchanges with the Philippines as the government clarifies its travel policy for Filipino officials visiting the island for trade-related purposes.

In a statement on Tuesday, Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung described this as a "pragmatic step" on the part of Manila, saying it would allow Taiwan to "deepen substantive cooperation" with the Philippines.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan remains the Philippines' eighth largest export market, ninth largest trading partner, and 10th largest source of imports.

The Philippines and Taiwan have no diplomatic relations but commercial, economic, cultural and other unofficial contacts continue th...