Taiwan is playing a leading role in fostering regional development as a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Attended by more than 200 industry leaders, experts and officials, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cross-Sector Innovation Ecosystem Conference held in Taipei City Aug. 12 helped spotlight Taiwan’s regional leadership, as its exemplary management of COVID-19 has kept the country open for business. Attendees were joined by a further 5,500 remote participants keen to learn more about the post-pandemic future.
Organized by the Small and Medium Enterprise Administration (SMEA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), the conference featured keynote addresses and panel discussions on such topics as collaborative innovation, cross-sector platforms and value-added technology. There were also opportunities to discuss best practices in collaborative industry solutions throughout the one-day event.
According to MOEA Deputy Minister Chen Chern-chyi (陳正祺), cross-sector innovation is a concept formulated in line with the intergovernmental forum’s 2020 theme of “Optimising Human Potential towards a Resilient Future of Shared Prosperity: Pivot. Prioritise. Progress,” featuring the principles of inclusive growth and an innovation-driven business environment as emphasized by member economies. The idea is to help small and medium enterprises (SME) promote sustainable growth by strengthening their interindustry networks.
Chang Chien-yi, executive director of Chinese Taipei APEC Study Center, chairs a training workshop in Taipei Sept. 2 focusing on Taiwan’s participation in the intergovernmental forum. (Photo courtesy of Chinese Taipei APEC Study Center)
Innovative Ideas
Since joining APEC in 1991, Taiwan has spearheaded a range of initiatives in areas spanning digital economy, disease prevention, energy, food security, human resource development, information and communication technology (ICT), SMEs, and women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship. These undertakings have improved the livelihoods of people throughout the Asia-Pacific and promoted regional economic integration.
“Over the years, Taiwan has offered its expertise in fields such as digital innovation, health care and SMEs, receiving much positive feedback from member economies,” said Chang Chien-yi (張建一), executive director of the Chinese Taipei APEC Study Center (CTASC). “Its initiatives have not only helped developing countries and territories reach their sustainable development goals but also bolstered Taiwan’s global image and standing.”
CTASC, hosted by Taipei-headquartered Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, is responsible for developing APEC-related education, outreach, research and training programs. The think tank conducts in-depth analysis on policy priorities and works closely with government agencies to design relevant international programs in support of these objectives.
According to Chang, who doubles as president of the institute, every year Taiwan officials attend 100 to 120 APEC meetings to discuss matters of mutual concern and share development know-how. The country also hosts 30-40 APEC events annually, but this year has seen a limited schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Health Focus
COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on countries around the world, but Taiwan has managed to limit the negative consequences, Chang said, attributing this success to the much vaunted Taiwan Model, which harnessed the latest technologies together with the country’s National Health Insurance database to implement contact tracing, quarantine and a real-name mask distribution system. Preventing community spread of the disease at home has allowed the country to put its resources to use elsewhere, launching humanitarian assistance projects delivering personal protective equipment to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies and like-minded partners around the world including in Europe and the U.S., as well as nations targeted under the New Southbound Policy (NSP).
Claivin Chiuo, co-founder of travel startup Perception of Chiayi from the southern Taiwan city, presents at a competition during APEC IncluNext Week June 24-27, 2019, in Taipei. (Photo courtesy of Perception of Chiayi)
A key plank of the government’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to enhance Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.
APEC has served as the ideal platform for Taiwan to share its experiences formulating a pandemic response, with the Ministry of Health and Welfare spearheading a proposal to establish the Digital Health Sub-Working Group within APEC’s Health Working Group (HWG).
As the leader of the project, Taiwan is coordinating efforts to document best practices in the use of modern technology for epidemic response, as well as consulting on strategies for post-pandemic economic recovery. “Digital transformation can increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve the quality of health care,” Chang said. “Equitable access to digital infrastructure has never been more important than it is now.”
New Paradigm
More sectors are relying on effective application of ICT to maintain competitiveness and realize sustainable growth than ever before. This was made clear by responses to COVID-19, with countries that embraced creative digital solutions, distance working and learning, and smart resource allocation often experiencing less negative economic impact.
Taiwan was quick to recognize the importance of digital transformation, which is why the country committed to guiding SMEs in the Asia-Pacific through the process via the Online-to-Offline (O2O) Initiative beginning in 2016. “The four-year program has made significant progress toward enhancing the competitiveness and resilience of SMEs in the region, helping close the digital divide and expediting the development of digital economies,” Chang said.
Attendees at the APEC Online-to-Offline Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, give the thumbs-up April 17, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Taiwan Institute of Economic Research)
The program saw a wide range of exhibitions, forums, summits and workshops organized in Taiwan and other co-sponsoring economies including Chile, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. These events provided high-level mentoring, networking and marketing opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs and enterprises. Success stories and business experiences shared at the meetings were compiled into the APEC SME O2O best practice guidebook published on the APEC website in March.
Building on the initiative’s success, the SMEA co-proposed the APEC Local Innovation Ecosystem Initiative alongside Russia, Thailand and the Philippines in 2018, which sought creative strategies for local economic development.
The project quickly gained momentum, ultimately being realized in the form of the APEC IncluNext Week comprising the APEC Local Innovation Ecosystem Forum and APEC SME O2O Summit held June 24-27 last year in Taipei. Attended by more than 500 public and private sector representatives from various APEC member economies, the event saw lively discussions on a variety of topics.
One standout from the week was a competition featuring 30 startups from home and abroad pitching novel solutions. Among the winners was a six-member team from southern Taiwan’s Chiayi City, who impressed the judges with their customized travel itineraries designed to reinvigorate the local tourism sector.
According to the startup’s co-founder Claivin Chiuo (邱鈺婷), Chiayi is best known to visitors as the gateway to the famed Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. But the region also has plenty more to offer thanks to its diverse cultural heritage including arts and crafts studios, historic buildings and museums.
Assisted by state-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute, Creative Tech Textile Co. is collaborating with 30 designers and manufacturers to create apparel, everyday goods and home decor made using the sustainable material. (Photo by Chen Mei-ling)
“I assumed APEC was all about grand economic concepts, so I was pleasantly surprised that it really focuses on addressing the needs of individual communities,” Chiuo said. “The forum aligned with our philosophy, and that’s why we were keen to attend.”
Eddie Wang (王葉訓), CEO of Creative Tech Textile Co. (CTT) based in southern Taiwan’s Tainan City, is another business leader who experienced the benefits of APEC participation. His firm was among the exhibitors at August’s Cross-Sector Innovation Ecosystem Conference.
Founded in 2017, CTT recycles abandoned oyster shells to make a wool-like fabric. Last year, with assistance from government-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute, the company teamed up with about 30 designers and manufacturers in various fields to create apparel, everyday goods and home decor using this cutting-edge material.
“APEC offers a chance to connect with corporate leaders, government entities, and key industry and investor groups,” Wang said. “The exhibition gave us a space to introduce our business concepts and vision to a wider audience.”
For almost 30 years, Taiwan and local entrepreneurs like Chiuo and Wang have been reaping the benefits of APEC membership while also giving back to fellow member economies. Never has this been clearer than during the coronavirus pandemic, with the country’s expertise in disease prevention providing a significant boost to its voice during recent APEC meetings. “Taiwan’s smart management of COVID-19 at home and its willingness to help like-minded partners abroad has opened doors for closer cooperation in the Asia-Pacific,” CTASC’s Chang said. “The country is now ready to play a central role in making the region healthier and more prosperous post-pandemic.”
Write to Kelly Her at kher@mofa.gov.tw