Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo (郭智輝) returned to Taiwan yesterday following a trip to Germany and the Czech Republic to promote industrial cooperation, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said.
In a statement, the International Trade Administration (ITA) under the ministry said Kuo attended the inauguration of the Taiwan Trade and Investment Center in Prague on Thursday.
He also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) pledging to set up industrial clusters and promote business opportunities — in order to boost collaboration between Taiwan and the Czech Republic.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Economic Affairs via CNA
The MOU was signed by Representative to the Czech Republic Ke Liang-ruey (柯良叡) and Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei representative David Steinke, according to the ITA.
The statement noted that the trade and investment center in Prague would be Taiwan’s first overseas investment service hub.
Under the MOU signed on Thursday, the center would enable Taiwan and the Czech Republic to collaborate in providing one-stop services for Taiwanese investors seeking opportunities in the European country.
The ITA added that the Czech Republic has a geographic advantage in Europe, a large pool of tech talent, prestigious research institutions, a sound industrial foundation and solid technological strength.
The European country has strong support from its government in technology development. This has led to it becoming one of Taiwan’s key European partners in terms of industrial cooperation, the ITA said.
Taipei would use Prague as a hub to seek other business opportunities in the European market, the ITA added.
During his stay in the Czech Republic, Kuo also met with Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil, Marek Benda, who is a member of the Czech Chamber of Deputies and chairperson of the body’s Taiwan friendship group, as well as other Czech government officials to discuss bilateral economic exchanges, the ITA said.
Kuo’s visit to Prague was part of his trip to Germany and the Czech Republic on Wednesday and Thursday.
Before Kuo visited the Czech Republic, he went to Dresden in the German state of Saxony. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co started constructing a new 12-inch wafer fab in the city in August, through a joint venture called European Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
The Dresden plant is scheduled to launch mass production at the end of 2027, focusing on automotive and industrial applications.
Kuo also met with Dresden Mayor Dirk Hilbert and the Saxony Minister-President Michael Kretschmer to gain a better understanding of the investment environment. He called for the Saxony authorities to assist Taiwanese entrepreneurs where necessary.
According to the ITA, Taiwan has long played a critical role in global supply chains and made important contributions to a wide range of tech development.
That, along with Taiwanese semiconductor suppliers extending their global reach, means that many related small and medium-sized Taiwanese businesses are setting their sights on the European market.
NEW AGREEMENT: Malaysia approved imports last year after nearly two years of negotiations and inspections to meet quarantine requirements, officials said Up to 3.6 tonnes of pomeloes from Taiwan cleared Malaysian customs on Friday, in the first shipment of Taiwanese pomeloes to Malaysia. Taiwan-grown pomeloes are popular in domestic and overseas markets for their tender and juicy taste, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency said. The fruit is already exported to Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines, it added. The agency began applying for access to the Malaysian market in 2023, compiling data on climate suitability, pests and diseases, and post-harvest handling, while also engaging in nearly two years of negotiations with Malaysian authorities and submitting supplementary
PEAK MONTHS: Data showed that on average 25 to 27 typhoons formed in the Pacific and South China seas annually, with about four forming per month in July and October One of three tropical depressions in the Pacific strengthened into a typhoon yesterday afternoon, while two others are expected to become typhoons by today, Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecaster Lee Ming-hsiang (李名翔) said yesterday. The outer circulation of Tropical Depression No. 20, now Typhoon Mitag, has brought light rain to Hualien, Taitung and areas in the south, Lee said, adding that as of 2pm yesterday, Mitag was moving west-northwest at 16kph, but is not expected to directly affect Taiwan. It was possible that Tropical Depression No. 21 would become a typhoon as soon as last night, he said. It was moving in a
One of two tropical depressions that formed offshore this morning could turn into a moderate typhoon by the weekend, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. Tropical Depression No. 21 formed at 8am about 1,850km off the southeast coast, CWA forecaster Lee Meng-hsuan (李孟軒) said. It is expected to move in a northwesterly direction as it continues building momentum, possibly intensifying into Typhoon Mitag this weekend, she added. The radius of the storm is expected to reach almost 200km, she said. It is expected to approach southeast of Taiwan on Monday and pass through the Bashi Channel between Tuesday and Wednesday,
About nine Taiwanese are “disappeared,” detained, or otherwise deprived of freedom of movement in China each month, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday. Between Jan. 1 last year and Aug. 31 this year, 188 Taiwanese travelers went missing, were detained and interrogated, or had their personal freedom restricted, with some questioned in airports or hotel lobbies, the council said. In a statement ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the council urged people visiting China for any reason to be highly vigilant and aware of the risks. Of the reported cases, 50 people were “disappeared” after entering China, 19 were detained and 119 had
RSS