The Republic of China (Taiwan) government is sparing no effort in fast-tracking regulatory easing and enhancing administrative flexibility so as to reduce investment hurdles and create a convenient and efficient legal framework for business activities, according to the National Development Council Nov. 15.
 
NDC Minister Chen Mei-ling made the statement after receiving the 2017 European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan Position Papers from the group’s Vice Chairman Olivier Rousselet during a luncheon in Taipei City
 
According to Chen, the Oct. 31 passage of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, which relaxes regulations on visas, work permits, residency, health insurance, tax and pensions for foreign nationals, will help attract more talents to the country.
 
Regarding energy issues, the minister reiterated the government’s commitment to continuously developing green energy and ensuring a stable power supply in an effort to transform Taiwan into a green silicon island, adding that European investment in this regard is highly welcomed. The NDC will continue to communicate with the ECCT and address the concerns raised in the position papers in a pragmatic manner, Chen said.
 
In its annual report, titled “Clearing the Hurdles to Economic Progress,” the ECCT referred to 132 new and unresolved issues spanning education, the environment, health care, human resources, industry, intellectual property rights, living conditions, technology and transportation.
 
According to the ECCT, Taiwan remains a dynamic player in the global economy blessed with advantages including good transportation and communications infrastructure, a skilled and stable workforce as well as reputable academic institutions.
 
Citing pension reform, the five-plus-two innovative industries initiative and Forward-Looking Infrastructure Development Program, the paper said the government deserves credit for its concerted efforts to find sustainable solutions to complex problems.
 
While the government is generally moving in the right direction, the report highlighted several hurdles that are hindering the country’s progress in areas such as energy security, labor laws, skills development and regulatory uncertainties.
 
According to statistics released in June by the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan, trade in goods between the two sides increased 3.9 percent to a record high of 45.7 billion euros (US$53.8 billion) in 2016.
 
The two sides also enjoy robust people-to-people exchanges, as evidenced by a 9.4 percent annual increase in the number of visits by Europeans to Taiwan, with the EETO describing the relationship as “healthy and thriving.” (SFC-E)

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