2020-09-22
The first EU Investment Forum was held today (22 September) at the Taipei International Convention Center. Filip Grzegorzewski, Head of the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO), presided over the event, while President Tsai Ing-wen, Minister of Economic Affairs Mei-Hua Wang and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu attended as distinguished guests and delivered addresses. The Forum attracted more than 500 participants, including many well-known Taiwanese manufacturers such as Delta Electronics, Everlight Electronics, and Advantech.
President Tsai in her remark stated that despite the great uncertainty that continues to affect global markets, Taiwan is seeing prosperity and opportunities. "Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan" launched by the government have so far spurred a total of over NT$1 trillion worth of investments and generated more than 920,000 job opportunities. Even as the global economy has slid into recession, Taiwan has bucked the trend by achieving a growth rate of 1.56%, the best performance among Four Asian Tigers. Obviously, Taiwan's efforts to build a sound, fair and predictable business environment are already bearing fruit. In recent years the EU has remained the largest single-source of inflow FDI in Taiwan; a shared commitment to the values of freedom, democracy, and rule of law is expected to enable Taiwan and the EU to establish even more robust economic and trade relations. Finally, President Tsai called on EU member states to support the signing of a Taiwan-EU bilateral investment agreement that should lay a foundation for future success.
EETO Head Filip Grzegorzewski commenced by thanking the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and representative offices in Taipei of the various EU member states for making the Forum come true. He then said that the occurrence of change implies the birth of new opportunities. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted areas of fragility in different countries and magnified existing problems in international supply chains and trade ties, but it has also provided Taiwan and the EU with unique opportunities for cooperation. The EU welcomes Taiwanese companies to invest there to further connect the world.
Minister of Economic Affairs Wang mentioned that Mr. Grzegorzewski first approached her last year with the idea of this Investment Forum for two main reasons. First, Taiwan and the EU have long had close trade ties, but there is lots of room for further growth in direct investment activity by Taiwanese companies in Europe. Secondly, companies from Taiwan and the EU are highly complementary. Opportunities for cooperation are especially abundant in such sectors as ICT, machinery, and semiconductors. Under changing economic circumstances, the need for reliable partnerships has therefore become the key component to a country’s global strategy. MOEA will keep deepening bilateral cooperation with the EU, and today's Forum is to provide a platform for Taiwanese companies to attain a deeper understanding of investment climates in Europe.
The EU Investment Forum marks the first time that EETO collaborates with MOEA, MOFA, and 15 EU member states to hold such a big event in Taiwan. The Forum focused on three main themes: "ICT development strategies," "self-driving vehicles," and "biotech & health care." Corporate executives and public officials were invited to share information on investment environments, regulations and policies, incentive measures, industrial conditions, and market potential in the EU and its member states. The representative offices in Taipei of 15 EU member countries, as well as the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and InvesTaiwan, set up booths to introduce investment and business opportunities. This is the very first step toward the establishment of a Taiwan-EU investment platform.
Department of Investment Services, Ministry of Economic Affairs / Spokesperson: Victoria H. P. Hsieh, Deputy Director General
Tel: 02-2389-2111#810
Mobile: 0970-431-205
E-mail: hphsieh@moea.gov.tw
Business Contact: Ying-Ju Chen, Section Chief
Tel: 02-2389-2111#210
Mobile: 0920-560-681
E-mail: yjchen2@moea.gov.tw
Source： Department of Investment Services, MOEA
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