In concert with the President’s call to strengthen domestic-overseas coordination on the “six strategic industries” and to step up understanding of the current situation of the domestic smart healthcare and biotechnology sectors of overseas compatriot entrepreneurs and promote technological cooperation between domestic companies and overseas compatriot entrepreneurs, from Sept. 22-24 the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) organized the “2020 OCAC Overseas Compatriot Entrepreneur Six Strategic Industries Delegation.” The delegation was made up of 28 overseas compatriot entrepreneurs from 18 areas in 12 countries (US, Canada, Chile, Brazil, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, India, UK, New Zealand and Australia) with investment resources, who are willing to cooperate with local enterprises and help Taiwanese smart healthcare and biotechnology industries expand into overseas markets. On Sept. 22, the OCAC hosted a welcome lunch at which the overseas compatriot entrepreneurs were welcomed to Taiwan to gain a better understanding of the current situation and strengths in the local smart healthcare and biotechnology sectors. On Sept. 24, OCAC Minister Chen-yuan Tung presided over a general session where he heard a range of proposals.

The delegation’s schedule in Taiwan took them to six of the top research and development institutions in Taiwan; the Institute for Information Industry (III), Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry Technology and Development Center, Development Center for Biotechnology, Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry, Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and National Health Research Institutes (NHRI). During these visits, delegation members conducted exchanges with senior officials to learn more about current developments in the local smart healthcare and biotechnology industries, thereby learning more about Taiwan’s technology R&D strengths and resources. An economic and trade seminar was also held, where representatives from ITRI, the Department of Investment Services (DOIS), Ministry of Economic Affairs, InvesTaiwan, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and the China Productivity Center (CPC) made presentations and answered questions. A “General Session” was held on the afternoon of Sept. 24, where delegation members discussed what they learned from the trip. Many indicated it had been of considerable help for their overseas operations and expressed a willingness to work with Taiwan by serving as an intermediary platform between overseas and local talent and investment, so as to breathe new life into domestic-overseas exchanges and investment in Taiwan’s smart healthcare and biotechnology sectors.

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