President Tsai Ing-wen said Sept. 28 that the government is committed to working with Taiwan firms operating overseas to continue expanding the country’s economic and trade presence on the global stage.
From their position at the forefront of critical industries, Taiwan businesspeople are leading the country’s international engagement, Tsai said. This is evidenced by their efforts to assist Ukraine refugees and donate money and supplies to countries worldwide amid the pandemic, she added.
Tsai made the remarks during the opening ceremony of a World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce meeting in southern Taiwan's Kaohsiung City.
According to the president, the international community continues to view Taiwan favorably. The government’s Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan, which was launched in 2019 to lure back overseas capital, has attracted NT$1.8 trillion (US$57 billion) in investment from over 1,250 firms as of this month, Tsai said, adding that these efforts help demonstrate the country’s capacity to be a key economic force.
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is the particular focus of global attention, Tsai said, citing interest in ramping up industrial exchanges from visitors such as the Czech Republic delegation that arrived last week.
This is complemented by the construction of Kaohsiung City’s Nanzih Technology Industrial Park, where Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has chosen to set up a new plant, Tsai said. Scheduled to start operation in 2024, the park is expected to generate over NT$150 billion in annual output, she added.
In addition, the Ministry of Digital Affairs established last month will help businesses accelerate digital transformation, promote Taiwan’s industrial development and optimize the country’s environment for digital economic growth, Tsai said.
Tsai also took the opportunity to welcome former U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo; Stephen J. Yates, former U.S. deputy national security adviser to the vice president; and Christian Whiton, former U.S. Department of State senior adviser. Their visit will benefit the two sides while paving the way for further Taiwan-U.S. cooperation and exchanges, she added. (YCH-E)
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