ROC President Ma Ying-jeou spotlighted the role of Taiwan in global information and communications technology June 4, reaffirming the government’s commitment to promoting the local ICT industry.
“We are sparing no effort to help Taiwan’s ICT industry continue as a world leader in hardware and software development,” Ma said.
The president’s remarks came at the opening of Computex Taipei. Also attending the event were Chang Chia-juch, minister of economic affairs, Wang Chih-kang, chairman of Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), J. T. Wang, president of Taipei Computer Association, and ICT industry heavyweights from home and abroad.
“Taiwan’s strong global ICT role is evidenced by the growth of Computex Taipei into Asia’s largest and the world’s second largest computer trade show, attracting buyers from more than 170 countries around the world,” Ma said. “Taiwan also ranked 10th, up one place from last year, on the Networked Readiness Index of the Global Information Technology Report 2013 released April 10 by the World Economic Forum.”
Ma, who was attending the annual trade show for the 12th time, said the government is fast-tracking the issuance of fourth-generation technology licenses as part of an undertaking to assist Taiwan companies in keeping abreast of the rapidly changing ICT sector.
Promoting applications, digitalization, intelligence and mobilization of the industry is another important goal for the government, Ma said, citing the utilization of cloud computing technology in law enforcement, disaster prevention and rescue, medical treatment and health care.
Use of wireless broadband technology in these areas has proved fruitful, which helped ensure better and safer living for the people of Taiwan, the president said.
The government will also step up efforts in boosting academic-industrial cooperation to nurture homegrown talent, Ma said, as this is critical for ICT development.
“Our education system may not be able to produce enough people to satisfy every need of the ICT industry. This is why it is important to boost industrial development through customized training programs,” Ma said.
The president also presented this year’s Computex Design and Innovation Awards to AsusTek Computer Inc., Erics Sports, HTC Corp., Gajah Technology Co. Ltd. and SilverStone Technology Co. Ltd., praising their efforts for turning out cutting-edge products.
Following the presentation, TAITRA Chairman Wang said the awards attracted 254 entries this year, up 24 percent from 2012, adding that more ICT firms are paying attention to the event as it helps raise their international profile.
Computex Taipei is expected to generate US$25 billion in business opportunities, accounting for 23 percent of Taiwan’s ICT export value last year, or 8.3 percent of the total, Wang said.(RC-JSM)
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