Taiwan companies secured orders worth NT$640 million (US$20.5 million) at Innovfest Unbound in Singapore, spotlighting the success of government efforts to promote emerging enterprises, the Ministry of Science and Technology said July 9.

Under the initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA) led 28 startups that have some of the best minds in AI, IoT, Healthcare, software and advanced manufacture. By showcasing their innovative tech solutions in Innovfest Unbound 2019, those startups not only caught media’s attention but also have potential collaborations with international companies.

Misshapen and unsightly vegetables are being saved from the trash heap in Taiwan by food banks and environmentally conscious restaurateurs. Food banks, restaurants and retailers are teaming up to recycle produce, eliminate waste and help those in need.

Local nonprofit organizations are changing lives in Myanmar. In 2018, life improved dramatically for Myanmar farmer Saw Lar Htoo when he received a new leg from Taipei City-based Eden Social Welfare Foundation (ESWF) and The Leprosy Mission Myanmar (TLMM). The 50-year-old, who had stepped on a landmine, was among the first beneficiaries of a program between the nongovernmental organizations (NGO) aimed at providing prosthetics to 300 people in the Southeast Asian nation by 2020.

Taiwan-Myanmar economic ties are scaling new heights on the back of growing direct investment. In mid-May, around 1,200 corporate representatives, entrepreneurs and government officials gathered in Myanmar’s commercial capital for the Yangon Investment Forum.

Tasty Taiwan, a fair spotlighting the nation’s produce and halal food products, kicked off June 28 in Kuala Lumpur as part of government efforts to expand trade with emerging Muslim markets.

Taiwan Tech Arena led 28 startups that are supported by the programs of MoST, showcasing their innovative tech solutions in Innovfest Unbound, the biggest innovation event in SEA from 6/27 to 6/28, bringing many startups into the spotlight.

Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) held “2019 APEC IncluNext Week” with the themes of “Inclusive Growth” and “Next-Generation Innovation”, consisting of “APEC Local Innovation Ecosystem Forum” and “APEC SME O2O Summit”, from June 24 to 27 at the Cathay Financial Conference Hall in Taipei.

A Taiwan-EU workshop on gender mainstreaming got underway June 24 in Taipei City, underscoring the commitment of both sides to advancing awareness of the important public policy concept.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Local Innovation Ecosystem Forum concluded June 25 in Taipei City, boosting exchanges among member economies on new approaches to urban-rural development.