European Innovation Week kicked off June 4 in Taipei City as part of Taiwan-EU efforts cultivating mutually beneficial opportunities in cluster development and small and medium enterprises.
Organized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, European Commission Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) and Enterprise Europe Network, the five-day event features seminars on topics like the circular economy, fifth-generation telecommunications technology, medical devices regulation, smart mobility, smart manufacturing and wind power.
Other highlights include Horizon 2020 Info Day events in Taipei and Tainan City, southern Taiwan, detailing the EU’s biggest research and innovation program, as well cluster-SME matchmaking sessions and fact-finding visits to Hsinchu Science Park in northern Taiwan and other facilities in Tainan.
According to organizers, EIW is expected to attract more than 2,000 business leaders, industry experts and officials from Taiwan and EU member states. One of the biggest delegations, led by DG GROW Deputy Director-general Antti Peltomaki, comprises more than 100 business representatives from 10 EU member countries.
Vice Premier Shih Jun-ji said at the opening of the event that Taiwan and the EU are key innovation partners, possessing well-designed economic and social systems, quality human resources and highly developed technology industries.
Given their respective pivotal position in sectors spanning biomedical technology, information and communication technology, machinery and renewable energy, Shih said, he expects the two sides will deepen and expand exchanges throughout the course of the event.
According to Shih, at a time when the government is working to promote economic innovation and industrial upgrades, it is hoped Taiwan and the EU can collaborate on creating mutually beneficial business opportunities. One way of achieving this goal is by fast-tracking negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement so as to provide enhanced protections for the businesses of both sides, he said. (SFC-E)
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