Artificial intelligence (AI) medical products could become one of Taiwan’s main exports to Southeast Asia, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Chern-chyi (陳正祺) said on Thursday.
ASEAN is the best gateway for Taiwanese firms to expand overseas, as they have already made investments in industries in the region, Chen told a forum in Taipei.
While China still produces one-third of the world’s manufactured goods, it has lost its shine due to trade disputes with the US, resulting in major changes to supply chains, he said.
Photo: CNA
The government has been helping Taiwanese businesses diversify their investments and markets by pushing the New Southbound Policy, he said.
The policy aims to enhance trade and exchanges between Taiwan and 18 countries in Southeast and South Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand, to reduce Taiwan’s dependence on China. It was introduced after former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) took office in 2016.
Global investment in ASEAN grew 11.5 percent from 2016 to 2022, and the region’s share of global trade increased in the same period to 7.7 percent from 6.9 percent, showing its growing importance to the global economy, Chen said, citing UN data.
As part of the new administration’s plans to help businesses expand overseas, the government is expected to support Taiwanese businesses that invest in Southeast Asia, he said.
Taiwanese enterprises have a wide range of investments in the region, from investments in industries such as textiles, information and communications technology, semiconductors, electric motorcycles, smart cities, biomedicine and healthcare, Chen said.
The vision is to integrate Taiwan’s medical expertise with AI technologies and work with ASEAN in digital healthcare while exploring the region as a potential market for Taiwan’s medical and health products and services, he added.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man