Taiwan and France launched a reciprocal internship program Nov. 26 in Taipei City, spotlighting government efforts to expand economic and trade cooperation while deepening youth exchanges with the European like-minded partner.
 
Under the program, young talents aged 18 to 36 years old are eligible to apply for internships of up to two years in length at participating companies in the other country. The program is built on an agreement inked by the two sides last June, which stipulated that each will open 100 slots for trainees.
 
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Ho-jen Tseng said during the launch ceremony that the program demonstrates the appeal of Taiwan’s democratic way of life and diverse society to younger generations in France. It is also the result of increasing demand for interns due to the strengthening of bilateral economic and trade relations, he added.
 
In response, French Office in Taipei Director Jean-Francois Casabonne-Masonnave said the program will play a key role in cultivating more professionals in the aerospace, logistics, high-tech, semiconductor and transportation industries. It is expected that both sides will continue working together to lay foundations for a mutually prosperous future, he said.
 
Among the event’s attendees were French corporate representatives from Airbus SE, Air Liquide Far Eastern Ltd., Carrefour S.A., STMicroelectronics N.V., Thales Group and Vinci Energies.
 
Further information, including details about the application procedure, will be released on the MOFA’s official website Dec. 1, according to the ministry. (YCH-E)
 
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw