The European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT) has announced that Bernd Barkey, Managing Director of Robert Bosch Taiwan will serve as chairman of the ECCT's board of directors in 2016 for the second consecutive year. Barkey was elected by the new board of directors at their first meeting following the chamber's Annual General Meeting (AGM) today. The 2016 boards of 15 directors and 5 supervisors were voted into office at today's AGM by ECCT members (please see p2 for a full list of directors and supervisors).

In its annual report to members at today's AGM, ECCT Chairman Bernd Barkey reported that 2015 was a very successful year for the chamber with frequent engagement with government ministries and agencies throughout the year, helping to further promote members' business interests. Membership rose to over 840 individual members and the quality and participation at events remained very high. A number of successful events were held and, in terms of advocacy, the chamber saw a similar high level of progress compared to 2014.

The ECCT was extremely active during the year, holding activities which included Premium Events, committee meetings and government visits. High profile activities included the Europe Day Dinner, Premium, Special and Committee Events which attracted high profile guest speakers from Taiwan and Europe. ECCT members and the secretariat also arranged or participated in numerous conferences, seminars and forums in conjunction with government agencies from both Taiwan and Europe. The chamber also participated in activities during the EU's first Mission for Growth to Taiwan from 3-5 June.

About the ECCT and the annual position papers
With over US$33 billion in direct foreign investments, European business interests account for the largest share of foreign investments in Taiwan. The European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan is the only foreign nationwide business chamber in Taiwan and the principal organisation promoting European business interests in Taiwan. The chamber represents over 800 members from around 400 companies and organisations. Through a network of 29 industry and support committees, the ECCT has been successful in addressing specific concerns and providing concrete recommendations to all levels of government to facilitate improving the business environment. The ECCT annually publishes a series of position papers that comprise issues identified by its committees as hindering the further development of their respective industries and provide recommendations to the government of Taiwan for improvement of the business environment on general issues as well as industry-specific problems. They also serve to keep the European Commission, the European Parliament as well as the governments of individual European Union member states informed about Taiwan's business environment.

2016 Board of Directors

Chairman
Bernd Barkey, Managing Director, Robert Bosch Taiwan

Other directors (in alphabetical order)
Håkan Cervell, President, Ericsson Taiwan
Derrick Chan, Deputy Chairman/Managing Director, Swire Group Taiwan / Taikoo Motors, Taiwan Branch
Godwin Chang, Group Country Head, Société Générale Taipei Branch
H Henry Chang, Principal, Baker & McKenzie
Erdal Elver, President & CEO, Siemens Limited Taiwan
Christian Gasplmayr, Director, Consumer Goods Business, Swarovski Taiwan
Eng Leong Goh, Managing Director, BASF Taiwan
Uwe Halstenbach, General Manager, TÜV Rheinland Taiwan
Giuseppe Izzo, General Manager, STMicroelectronics
Daver Lau, General Manager, Amadeus Taiwan
Eckart Mayer, President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz Taiwan
Rufus Parkinson, Managing Director, Moët Hennessy Taiwan
Olivier Rousselet, Country Manager, BNP Paribas Taiwan
Francine Wu, CEO, Schroder Investment Management (Taiwan)

Alternate Directors (in order of election)
Bart Linssen, Service Manager, Solvent GmbH Taiwan Branch
Peter Trampe, Country Manager, ISS Facility Services Taiwan
John Pien, General Manager, Grundfos Handels AG Taiwan Branch
Thomas Zechel, President, Evonik Taiwan

2016 Board of Supervisors (in alphabetical order)

Rami Baitieh, CEO, Carrefour Taiwan
Mike Jewell, Senior Research Director, TNS Taiwan
Nathan Kaiser, Attorney at Law (Switzerland), Eiger
Thomas Kuiper, Chief Operating Officer, Gandi Asia
Martin Lindström, Group Director, DFI Home Furnishings Taiwan Limited - IKEA Taiwan

Alternate Supervisor
David Raymond, Managing Director, Chanel Taiwan