Minister Kung Ming-hsin of the NDC today (7th) attended the launch of the 2023 Taiwan White Paper by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), and accepted the white paper on behalf of the government. Coordination results of the 2022 white paper were better than the previous year, and over 30% of issues were assessed to be resolved or made concrete progress, including 8 issues that have been resolved and 23 in which concrete progress was made. The chairperson of AmCham thanked the government for its coordination and efforts, and recognized the progress in recent negotiations for the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade. Minister Kung said that an agreement was reached within 1 year after starting negotiations for the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, and the first batch of agreements was signed on June 1. This is the result of Taiwan's early preparations and collaboration between the government and AmCham to improve Taiwan's investment environment and establish a good legal system.
The government continues to implement projects and have produced results in the four aspects mentioned by AmCham, namely good regulatory practices, energy, digitalization, and talent. With regard to good regulatory practices, Taiwan will continue to implement the principles of transparency and increasing public participation, and implement the good regulations of the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade.
To achieve net zero emission, President Tsai declared on Earth Day (April 22, 2021) that the transition to net zero emissions by 2050 is a global trend, and also Taiwan's current goal. The NDC subsequently announced Taiwan's Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050 and the 12 Key Strategies in 2022. The amendment to the Climate Change Response Act was promulgated in February this year (2023) and added the goal to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050, showing Taiwan's determination to achieve net zero emissions by making the goal of net zero emissions a regulatory requirement.
The Legislative Yuan passed the amendment to the Renewable Energy Development Act on May 29 to drive the development of renewable energy. Key points of the amendment include: Expand the scope of offshore wind power to beyond 12 nautical miles in coordination with international developments in wind power technology. In the future, the rooftop of new buildings, extensions, or rebuilt buildings must install solar PV equipment with a certain installed capacity. The equipment will provide heat insulation and generate green electricity.
The NDC implemented the Program for Promoting Six Core Strategic Industries and 5+2 Industrial Innovation Plan for digital transformation, including providing sites for AIoT applications and the Smart Machinery Industry Innovation Plan. For environmental sustainability, public companies with a paid-in capital of NT$2 billion and above are required to prepare, report, and complete third party verification of ESG Sustainability Reports.
The NDC directs its efforts from a qualitative and quantitative approach to recruiting exceptional international talent. Leading enterprises and the National Development Fund jointly providing funding to cultivate high-end talent for quality improvement. At present, 10 universities have established 11 research institutes for semiconductors, circular economy, finance, smart manufacturing, and AI. To increase the service capabilities of the Employment Gold Card Office, the office provides international talent with comprehensive services for work and daily life. To increase the quantity of talent the NDC collaborated with the Ministry of Education in relaxing regulations on assessment of compatriot and foreign students, and approving the applications of students who graduate with an associate degree and above to work in Taiwan. The NDC expects the number of students who stay to work in Taiwan will increase by 70%. The NDC also provides 10,000 international students with scholarships to attract even more international students to study in Taiwan and eventually stay in Taiwan. Furthermore, related agencies are currently considering relaxing regulations on permanent residency for foreign middle and high-end technicians and young migrant workers, in order to maintain the talent required for economic and industrial growth, and enhance Taiwan's international competitiveness.
Minister Kung thanked AmCham for providing Taiwan's government with strong support. The NDC and related departments will continue to work hard in response to the new 2023 White Paper, and will utilize cross-departmental coordination mechanisms and implement the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade to create an excellent regulatory environment, setting an example for good regulatory practices in the Asia Pacific.
Table: Statistics of issue assessments in the 2021 and 2022 White Paper released by AmCham
Year of
White Paper |
Suggestions
Total number of items |
Resolved
(A) |
Made concrete progress (B) |
A+B
Total |
Number of items in A as a percentage of all items |
Number of items in A+B as a percentage of all items |
| 2021 |
87 |
5 |
13 |
18 |
5.7% |
20.7% |
| 2022 |
102 |
8 |
23 |
31 |
7.8% |
30.4% |
Contact Person: Department of Regulatory Reform Director General Yang, Shu-Ling
Contact Number: 02-2316-5929