The 2022 Taiwan-Sweden Trade Talks wrapped up Nov. 18 in Taipei City, with the two partners pledging to forge even stronger economic ties going forward, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Convened by Deputy MOEA Minister Chen Chern-chyi and Hakan Jevrell, state secretary to the minister for international development cooperation and foreign trade, the daylong event involved discussions in areas spanning electric vehicles, financial technology and green energy transformation.
According to the MOEA, Taiwan has tapped into international electric vehicle supply chains, producing essential components for the manufacture of automotive bodies, motors, electronics and charging equipment. During the talks, Swedish participants expressed eagerness to deepen the two sides’ collaboration on battery production, the ministry said.
Regarding renewable energy transition, the MOEA cited the country’s pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050 launched earlier this year, while Swedish representatives said they look forward to working together to help businesses meet the targets.
During his speech at the event, Chen praised Sweden’s environmental protection and sustainable development measures. Taiwan attaches great importance to its trade partnership with Sweden, he said, adding that the government is committed to furthering cooperation with the EU member state.
In response, Jevrell said the two sides share the universal values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, adding that Sweden also hopes to expand joint exchanges in other fields like culture and the humanities.
Following the talks, the two officials attended the 38th Taiwan-Sweden Joint Business Council Meeting in Taipei. They witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on intellectual property cooperation between Taiwan Patent Attorneys Association and its Swedish counterpart, as well as an MOU on fintech collaboration between National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University’s Center of Industry Accelerator and Patent Strategy in the northern city of Hsinchu and Swedish company Norlinanders AB.
Official statistics show two-way trade totaled US$1.59 billion in 2021, up 28.4 percent from the prior year. Sweden is Taiwan’s largest trading partner in Northern Europe, with its investment in Taiwan totaling US$578 million as of the end of September. (YCH-E)
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