President Tsai Ing-wen said April 27 that cutting-edge technology and smart manufacturing techniques are strengthening the local aerospace sector’s capacity for producing indigenous aircraft and bolstering Taiwan’s defense industry.
 
Adopting the latest advances is key to keeping this vital industry on the development track and spurring domestic demand, Tsai said. Government measures are providing requisite support while delivering benefits in the form of new jobs across the areas of airplane accessories, components and maintenance services, she added.
 
Tsai made the remarks while touring state-owned Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. in central Taiwan’s Taichung City, as well as Air Asia Co. Ltd. and Magnate Technology Co. Ltd. in southern Taiwan’s Tainan and Kaohsiung cities, respectively.
 
The presidential visits are the first in a series to local firms involved in the five-plus-two innovative industries initiative, which covers the biotech and pharmaceuticals, green energy, national defense, smart machinery and Internet of Things sectors, as well as the circular economy and a new paradigm for agricultural development.
 
According to Tsai, promotion of Taiwan’s defense industry via the initiative has laid a solid foundation for further aerospace and manufacturing sector development in central and southern Taiwan. It is anticipated that the public and private sectors will continue working closely together in creating more opportunities for homegrown firms, especially in countries under the New Southbound Policy, she said.
 
A key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the policy seeks to enhance Taiwan’s agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand. (SFC-E)

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