Taiwan cross-ministerial delegation wraps up Czechia visit

A delegation comprising senior officials from the National Development Council, National Science and Technology Council and Ministry of Economic Affairs wrapped up their visit to the Czech Republic Aug. 31, successfully helping local firms expand their business opportunities in Europe. Led by Executive Yuan Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin, the group also included NDC Minister Liu Chin-ching, NSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wen, Deputy MOEA Minister Chen Chern-chyi, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives from major Taiwanese firms, particularly those in the semiconductor sector. According to the Executive Yuan, during their stay in Czechia, the group attended an investment promotion organized by CzechInvest Aug. 28 in Prague. At the event, Chamber of Deputies Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová and Science, Research and Innovation Minister Marek Ženíšek both stressed the importance of fostering stronger two-way ties and welcomed investment from Taiwan in their country’s semiconductor sector. In response, Kung said several firms have expressed interest in enhancing their reach in Czechia by setting up an office in Prague and a logistics center in the Ústecký Region. He said local firms can use the Czech Republic as a springboard for expansion into the rest of Europe, adding that joint efforts over the next three to five years will be pivotal to developing a key semiconductor cluster in Czechia. The group also called at the Czech Senate, took part in a fact-finding tour to Ústecký and met with senior Czech officials to discuss ways to deepen future cooperation in areas such as resilience building, semiconductor supply chains, industry cluster development and talent cultivation. Statistics show that Czech delegations have attended four Taiwan exhibitions so far this year, with a Czech Pavilion set to feature at SEMICON Taiwan Sept. 4-6 in Taipei City. Taiwan will also set up a Taiwan Pavilion at the MSV International Engineering Fair taking place in October in the Czech city of Brno. (SFC-E) Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw