CIECA and ECCT Seeks to Deepen Industry Relations Amid Global Pandemic

The "Taiwan & EU Business Networking Reception," hosted by the Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association (CIECA) and the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT), focused on strengthening industry relations amid a global pandemic, with industries and countries wrangling with the impacts of a post-COVID-19 era.

Among the reception attendees, the European Economic and Trade Office (EETO) Director Filip Grzegorzewski lauded the continual nurturing of Taiwan and the EU's strong economic ties. Taiwan is still the EU's 5th largest trading partner in Asia and the EU as Taiwan's 4th largest partner, especially with the EU as Taiwan's largest foreign investment origin. A robust platform between the two entities, forged through two decades of cooperation between the CIECA and ECCT, business conferences, and bilateral visits, both offices expect to see further collaboration over emerging industries. Examples of partnerships include smart cities, circular economy, biotech medicine, AI, and 5G applications.

The pandemic's impact on the global economy only strengthened the resolve for a more resilient production chain, ECCT Chairman Giuseppe Izzo said, pointing out deepening relations between the EU and Taiwan in the future.

Taiwan has many industries that have the opportunity and advantage to expand its business into the European region, such as machinery manufacturing, semiconductors, and ICT, Taiwan's Economic Minister Wang Mei-hua said at the reception. Grzegorzewski expressed similar sentiments amid a fast-paced, changing economic state that business ties between European and Taiwanese firms would continue to strengthen.

The reception saw over 200 guests, with many attendees from local industry association representatives, companies investing in the EU, and listed companies.