President Tsai Ing-wen said Aug. 25 that the government is committed to strengthening the country’s robust investment climate while advancing Taiwan-U.S. mutual interests and shared values with like-minded partners such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei.
2020 has been a year of challenges, Tsai said. But government policies are proving effective in protecting Taiwan’s economic climate and public health so domestic and international businesses can operate without concern, she added.
Tsai made the comments while delivering the keynote at AmCham Taipei’s Hsieh Nien Fan celebration in Taipei City. The annual gathering of business leaders from Taiwan and the U.S. was also attended by VIPs such as Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung and American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen.
According to Tsai, AmCham Taipei is playing an important role in making the strong partnership between Taiwan and the U.S. even stronger. The organization links businesses from both sides, and makes invaluable contributions through economic and trade policy recommendations contained in the annual Taiwan White Paper, she said.
This year’s paper revealed that 11 of the 82 issues raised in 2019 edition have been resolved, Tsai said. This ties the record from two years ago and augurs well for further progress going forward, she added.
Tsai said the paper’s new chapter focusing on developing talent and cultivating a more internationalized workforce in Taiwan reflects the organization’s involvement in the Talent Circulation Alliance launched by AIT last year. This commitment will assist Taiwan in becoming a critical force in the global economy and the most reliable partner of the U.S. in Asia, she added.
AmCham Taipei’s Business Climate Survey was another source of good news, Tsai said. The majority of member company respondents are bullish on Taiwan’s economic outlook over the next three years, and see the U.S.-China trade dispute as having a largely positive impact on the country’s economy, she added.
The government will maintain this momentum by continuing to tackle issues raised by AmCham Taipei, Tsai said, adding that this includes introducing additional incentives, tax breaks and other measures to boost overseas investment in Taiwan.
Tsai also took the opportunity to call for Taiwan and the U.S. to pursue a bilateral trade agreement. Such a pact would allow both sides to capitalize on the complementary nature of their industries and create even more mutually beneficial business opportunities, she said.
A strong, consistent and stable partnership between Taiwan and the U.S. contributes to the maintenance of a free and open Indo-Pacific, Tsai said. Rest assured, the country is an unwavering partner and friend, dedicated to contributing to the prosperity of both sides and the region, she added.
Established in 1951 with more than 1,000 members from 500-plus companies, AmCham Taipei is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting the interests of U.S. and international businesses in Taiwan. (TYT-E)
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