Giuseppe Izzo, Chairman, European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan

Dr Kuan Chung-ming, Minister, National Development Council

12:00 - 14:00, Tuesday, 25 November, 2014

The Sherwood Taipei, Ballroom (3F)/ 台北西華飯店3樓 宴會廳

111 Min Sheng E. Road, Sec 3, Taipei/ 台北市民生東路三段111號

In just six decades, Taiwan has witnessed remarkable economic and social progress. Looking at a number of statistics over the past 60 years clearly illustrates this. In 1952, Taiwan's GDP was US$1.7 billion. At the end of 2013 it had risen more than 280-fold to US$484 billion. On a per capita basis, Taiwan's annual GDP is US$21,700 but, given the relatively low cost of living, on a purchasing power parity basis, per capita GDP is close to US$40,000. Foreign trade since 1942 has risen from US$300 million to US$574 billion. Taiwan has the world's sixth largest level of foreign exchange reserves at over US$420 billion. Inflation and unemployment are both relatively low by global standards. Taiwan has built a modern transport and telecommunications infrastructure and a universal healthcare system. It has developed into an open and democratic society with strong civic institutions and stable government. It has a relatively consistent legal system and a highly skilled workforce, with very little industrial unrest and low staff turnover.

These are just some of Taiwan's strengths, which, if effectively harnessed, could achieve even greater things.

The ECCT's 2015 Position Papers will share European experiences, best practices and models with the Taiwan government aimed at ensuring Taiwan's continued economic sustainability and prosperity.

As is tradition, the Minister of the National Development Council (NDC) has been invited to the launch to receive a copy of the Position Papers and make a few remarks on behalf of the Taiwan government.

The ECCT's Position Papers are published annually by the ECCT and include a collection of industry-specific issues and recommendations from a European business perspective on how to further improve the business environment in Taiwan. This year's papers, compiled by the board of directors and 23 of the ECCT's committees, primarily address the Taiwan government, but also serve to inform the European Commission, the governments of the individual European member states as well as the media and the general public.