ECCT PREMIUM EVENT

Launch of the ECCT's 2020 Position Papers

Position Paper presenter
Giuseppe Izzo, Chairman, European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan

Invited guest of honour
Dr Chen Mei-ling, Minister, National Development Council

12:00 - 14:00, Tuesday, 5 November, 2019
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

2019 has been marked by an exceptionally high level and frequency of engagement between the ECCT and the Taiwan government. Dozens of meetings have been held between ECCT committees and government officials, including Premier Su, National Development Council Minister Chen Mei-ling and several other cabinet ministers, heads of bureaus, departments, agencies and numerous working level officials. Thanks to these exchanges and the government's proactive approach, progress has been made on many of the issues raised in the 2019 Position Papers. At the launch of the ECCT's 2020 Position Papers, we will review progress made and introduce the new papers that highlight priority issues and share European experiences, best practices and models with the government that are aimed at ensuring Taiwan's continued economic prosperity.

As is tradition, the Minister of the National Development Council (NDC) has been invited to the launch to receive a copy of the 2020 Position Papers and make a few remarks on behalf of the Taiwan government.

Despite weakening global demand and international trade conflicts, Taiwan's economy continues to grow. Figures from Taiwan's Directorate General for Budget Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) showed that GDP expanded by 1.83% in the first quarter and 2.4% in the second quarter of 2019. According to the DGBAS's August 2019 forecast report, while weak global demand would drag export growth, the reshoring of manufacturing companies will increase domestic production capacity, and partly offset the drag. Along with exports of services, DGBAS projects that the real exports of goods and services will grow by 3.47% for the whole 2019 while real private fixed capital formation is expected to grow by 5.01%, driven by the continuing investments in semiconductor manufacturing, and the relocation of manufacturing, encouraged by the government's “Action Plan for Welcoming Overseas Taiwanese Businesses to Return to Invest in Taiwan”. Overall, DGBAS forecasts GDP growth of 2.46% in 2019 and 2.58% in 2020.

Nevertheless, economic conditions remain challenging and foreign investors continue to face a number of obstacles that are hindering the development of their business operations in Taiwan. Addressing these issues will be crucial if Taiwan is to continue to attract and maintain foreign investment.

About the ECCT's Position Papers
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 25 of the ECCT's 30 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.

NT$1,600 for members and NT$2,200 for members' guest(s)

To Cancel without penalty, written cancellations must be received 24 hours prior to the event.
Contact: Fiona Lee / Tel 2740-0236 ext. 215 / fiona.lee@ecct.com.tw / www.ecct.com.tw