National Development Council Central and Eastern Europe Trade Delegation Arrives in Czech Republic to Expand Bilateral Industry Cooperation and Enhance Positive Cycle between Taiwan and Czech Republic

The group of 66 delegates consisting of government officials and representatives of the industry, government, academia, and research institutions led by NDC Minister Kung Ming-hsin arrived in the Czech Republic today (October 25) to attend the “Taiwan-Czech Republic Investment Forum Opening Ceremony and MOU Signing Ceremony” and began a tour in the country. When President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil led a delegation to Taiwan last year, the two countries signed three MOUs on smart city, startups, and smart machinery, and have attained progress in the last year. The partnership has been expanded to cybersecurity, aerospace, catalytic materials, green energy, and smart machinery.

President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil stated in his speech that his delegation’s visit to Taiwan last year has established a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation. He emphasized that the two democratic countries should enhance ties and support each other and all Senators support bilateral ties. In his public speech during his visit in Taiwan, Senate President Miloš Vystrčil stated: “Actions are stronger than arguments.” He reiterated his stance by stating “My action was the best form of communication” and took concrete actions once again to emphasize the strong ties between Taiwan and the Czech Republic.

NDC Minister Kung Ming-hsin stated to the Czech representatives that the President thanks Mr. Miloš Vystrčil for creating a “positive cycle” between Taiwan and the Czech Republic and that he will expand the positive cycle to cooperation in industries and trade. In this crucial moment in the reorganization of supply chains, he expects Taiwan and the Czech Republic to achieve greater results in bilateral cooperation.
Minister Kung Ming-hsin stated in his speech that Taiwan and the Czech Republic are both strong supporters of democracy and freedom, and can work together to play a key role in the international community in the overhaul of the global supply chain. Minister Kung Ming-hsin thanked Senate President Miloš Vystrčil again for strengthening bilateral ties after he led a delegation to Taiwan in August last year. Taiwan donated surgical masks and other epidemic prevention supplies and equipment to the Czech Republic, which in turn donated 30,000 doses of vaccines to Taiwan. President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan referred to the precious friendship as a “positive cycle”. The delegation to the Czech Republic is expected to expand the positive cycle to cooperation in industries and trade.

Minister Kung Ming-hsin stated in his closing remarks “When Mr. Vystrčil visited Taiwan last year, he used a Czech proverb ‘where there is a heart, there is a way’. Today, we have found our path to partnership and it is time for us to move forward and march together. 」
Czech Taiwanese Business Chamber organized a large-scale Taiwan-Czech Republic Investment Forum and Investment Seminar for the delegation to maximize business opportunities for both countries. The Chairman Pavel Diviš welcomed the Taiwanese trade delegation and President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil attended the event along with Vice President of the Senate Jitka Seitlová, Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Pavel Fischer, Chairperson of the Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Tomáš Goláň, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Health Lumir Kantor, and Senator Jan Holásek. Mr. Fischer, Mr. Goláň, and Mr. Kantor were Senators who were part of the delegation led by President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil to Taiwan in August last year.

When the Czech delegation visited Taiwan last year, they bore witness the signing of the three MOUs between Taiwan and the Czech Republic on smart city and AIOT, startups and smart machinery, and cooperation in finance and tourism sectors. The scope of cooperation is expanded this year to include 5G, semiconductors, medical equipment, and cybersecurity. NDC Minister Kung Ming-hsin, Minister Wu Tsung-tsong of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil jointly witness as Taiwanese and Czech representatives signed 5 MOUs for industrial and research cooperation in cybersecurity, aerospace, catalytic materials, green energy, and smart machinery.

Taiwan’s Institute for Information Industry (III) will begin cooperation on cybersecurity for major infrastructure in the Czech Republic. Taiwan Space Industry Development Association and Czech Space Alliance signed an MOU to enhance the exchange of aerospace industry information between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. Director General Wu Jong-shinn of the National Space Organization also presented a model of Taiwan’s “FORMOSAT-7” satellite to the Czech representatives. Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute will cooperate with the Czech Academy of Sciences on catalytic materials and green energy, and joint technology development and applications. In terms of smart machinery, Taiwan’s Precision Machinery R&D Center will work with Czech counterparts on the integration and application of related smart monitoring technologies.

The 66-person delegation including NDC Minister Kung Ming-hsin, Minister Wu Tsung-tsong of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Chern-chyi, Deputy Minister of Finance Juan Ching-hwa, officials from different government institutions, and representatives of research institutions, trade associations, and industries attended the Taiwan-Czech Republic Investment Forum Opening Ceremony and MOU Signing Ceremony in the Czech Republic today. After the ceremony, Minister Kung Ming-hsin met with President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil, Senators, and Czech representatives to discuss issues such as 5G, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and biotechnology and medicine. Meanwhile, companies from both countries organized the Taiwan-Czech Republic Business Opportunity Investment Matchmaking, which included more than 170 face-to-face meetings.

Minister Kung Ming-hsin was invited by Charles University of the Czech Republic to give a speech on “Global Supply Chain Restructuring: Cooperation between Taiwan and the Czech Republic”. It is expected to facilitate bilateral exchanges between Taiwan and the Czech Republic in more areas and achieve more results.

Sources: National Development Council