A delegation led by Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) officials left for the US yesterday to seek cooperation with US companies and possibly business opportunities in the photovoltaic industry and electric car sector.
“The aim of the visit is to promote Taiwan’s photovoltaic and electric motor industries,” ministry Vice Minister Hwang Jung-chiou (黃重球) said on Saturday.
Against the backdrop of US President Barack Obama’s promotion of the green energy industry and Taiwan’s development in photovoltaic and electric motor industries, the delegation will visit the US Department of Energy (DOE) to seek opportunities for cooperation, Hwang said.
HIATUS
This will be the first time in many years that a high-level visit by ministry officials heads for the US.
The delegation is composed of ministry officials and representatives from Taiwan’s leading lithium-ion battery manufacturers — E-One Moli Energy Corp (能元科技), Amita Technologies Inc (有量科技) and Simplo Technology Co (新普科技) — electric motor engine manufacturer Fukuta Electric and Machinery Co (富田電機) and others.
The delegates will be in New York today to attend the annual meeting of the Republic of China-United States of America Business Council and visit the US automobile industry center in Detroit.
While there, ministry officials are scheduled to discuss collaboration on electrical vechiles with Chrysler and General Motors.
The delegation is scheduled to arrive in Washington on Wednesday.
GOING ELECTRIC
The ministry said electric vehicles are one of the future industries under the global trend of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and conserving energy.
By working with US automobile giants, Taiwan’s electric automobile components manufacturers — which have already tapped into the supply chain for international automobile brands such as BMW — will be able to expand their share in the international market.
“The US automobile industry has a strong foundation in research and development and design, while Taiwan’s electric motor industry has high production efficiency and a comprehensive supply system for lithium-ion batteries.
The two can therefore cooperate to create bigger benefits, the ministry said.
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