Tsai outlines biomedical, smart machinery policies

2016/03/02

A series of policy initiatives aimed at boosting the competitiveness and production value of Taiwan’s biomedical and smart machinery industries were recently proposed by ROC President-elect Tsai Ing-wen.

The biomedical component includes reforms for 31 items covered under amendments to the Act for the Development of Biotech and New Pharmaceuticals Industry, Fundamental Science and Technology Act and Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. This raft of changes is prioritized for review in the ninth Legislature, which commenced sittings Feb. 19 in Taipei City.

“We hope these bills can be greenlighted by year-end,” Tsai said during a conference with industry leaders Feb. 23 at Nangang Software Park in Taipei City. “The biomedical industry in Taiwan is full of potential and what we need to do is boost production value by pooling the resources of the academic, public and private sectors.”

The Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman said she has taken the suggestions of business leaders into consideration and will implement further regulatory reforms, slash tax rates, and initiate programs aimed at attracting more local and foreign talents to the industry.

Another part of Tsai’s policy blueprint involves development of the smart machinery industry. A Taichung City-based policymaking advisory panel is to be formed to accelerate industry upgrades and help stave off fierce competition from Japan and South Korea.

Comprising central and local government officials, the panel will offer support to the precision and machine tool sectors in such fields as international cooperation, land acquisition, marketing, R&D and talent recruitment.

“Given more than 160,000 employees in the machinery-related sector in central Taiwan, we have every reason to spotlight the industry and help shape Greater Taichung into a global smart machinery hub,” Tsai said Feb. 25 during a visit to the locally based Quaser Machine Tools Inc.

“Our short-term goal is to expand exports and reduce component imports.”

Tsai added that her administration will also focus on spurring innovation in the aerospace, agriculture, green energy, Internet of Things, semiconductors, shipbuilding, and digital creative industries.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=242576&ctNode=2194&mp=9)