Dear Subscriber,

As we near the end of March and say goodbye to the lingering chill in Taiwan, it is time to embrace the warmth of new connections and collaborative ventures.

Exciting news awaits as we announce the upcoming networking event on April 16, co-organized by our service unit DEinternational Taiwan and NRW Global Business, focusing on the field of e-mobility. The networking event is part of a delegation trip regarding the e-mobility industry, initiated by GTAI. The event promises to be a platform for exchanges between Taiwanese and German companies across various sectors. Mark your calendars for this enriching opportunity to explore the potentials of e-mobility cooperation and register now. More information can be found in our Top News.

We also had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Andrew Chong, Regional Director for Southeast Asia at Rehau, in our office earlier this week. Engaging in insightful discussions about the evolving landscape of railway solutions, Mr. Chong's visit illuminated the pathways for future collaborations in enhancing urban mobility infrastructure. Check out our GTO News for more information.

While we eagerly anticipate future engagements, we urge German companies in the bicycle industry to seize the opportunity to join our delegation trip to Taiwan from May 13 to 17, funded by the Federal Ministry of Economy and Climate Action. Discover the thriving bicycle and e-scooter industry of Taiwan and forge lasting partnerships in this dynamic market. Please refer to the article (in German) in our GTO News for further information on how to sign up.

The Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) recently published a special report about an economic survey among German companies, unveiling a concerning trend. German industrial companies, grappling with diminishing competitiveness at home, are increasingly eyeing foreign investments. The report highlights a shift towards cost-saving measures over expansion, prompting urgent calls for bolstering Germany's appeal as a production hub. Dive into more details about the survey in our DIHK News.

Let us embrace this week’s challenges with a grin, a cup of tea and the determination to turn every obstacle into an opportunity.

Axel Limberg
Delegate and Chief Representative of German Industry & Commerce in Taiwan
Executive Director of the German Trade Office Taipei

On April 16th, DEinternational Taiwan, the service unit of the German Trade Office Taipei (AHK Taiwan), will co-organize a networking event in the field of E-Mobility together with NRW Global Business, as part of the German delegation trip to Taiwan, initiated by GTAI. The event is partnered by TAITRA, the German company clusters automotiveland nrw, and Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier, and IHK Köln.

The networking event is intended to create a platform for Taiwanese and German organizations including companies, associations, research and development centers, universities, and governmental institutions.

The networking event consists of company presentations, keynote speeches, a joint lunch, and time for individual 1 by 1 exchange.

Details

Date: 16. April 2024
Time: 09:00 – 14:30
Place: Shangri-La Taipei - B1 Metro Suite  (No.201, Tun Hwa South Road, Section 2, Taipei)
Language: English
Fee: Free of charge

Preliminary Agenda

Registration and Opening

09:00 – 09:30 Registration

09:30 – 09:45 Opening Remarks

• Ms. Leonie Yang, General Manager, DEinternational Taiwan Ltd.
• Dr. Jörg Polster, General Director, German Institute Taipei
• Ms. Bety Chu, Head of Business Unit China, Latin America, NRW Global Business
• Dr. Robert Hermann, CEO, GTAI

Key Note Speeches

09:45 – 09:55 Industry transformation towards E-Mobility in Germany (Mr. Christoph Mester, Industry Expert Mobility, GTAI)

09:55 – 10:05 Company Prospects in the E-Mobility Sector in the Federal State of North-Rhine Westfalia (Ms. Bety Chu, Head of Business Unit China, Latin America, NRW Global Business)

10:05 – 10:15 Current Trend of EV in Taiwan and Standards Used (Mr. Steven Liu, General Manager, Phoenix Contact Taiwan)

10:15 – 10:30 Coffee Break & Networking 

Presentation from German Delegates

10:30 – 11:40 Company Presentations

10:40 – 12:00 Q&A and Closing Remarks

Networking

12:00 – 13:00 Lunch Break & Networking Time

13:00 – 14:30 Business-Speed-Dating

Registration

Vom 15. bis 19. April 2024 findet unsere Delegationsreise nach Taiwan im Bereich Elektromobilität statt. Die Reise wird im Rahmen des Programms zur Internationalisierung der Regionen im Strukturwandel von GTAI Germany Trade and Invest durchgeführt und vom BMWK Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz gefördert. In Zusammenarbeit mit der Investitionsförderungsgesellschaft NRW Global Business und den Unternehmensclustern automotiveland nrw und der Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier für DEinternational Taiwan, die Dienstleistungsgesellschaft des Deutschen Wirtschaftsbüros Taipei (AHK Taiwan) ein spannendes fünftägiges Programm durch, bei dem sich deutsche Unternehmen vernetzen können und umfangreiche Einblicke in die taiwanische Elektromobilitätsbranche erhalten.

Taiwan beherbergt bereits weltweit führende Unternehmen in den Bereichen Elektronik und Halbleiter. Das über Jahrzehnte angesammelte Knowhow in der Produktentwicklung und Massenproduktion soll dazu genutzt werden, künftig auch in der Elektromobilität eine führende Rolle einzunehmen. Bereits jetzt sind Hersteller wie Tesla stark auf Komponenten aus taiwanischer Fertigung angewiesen. Für deutsche Unternehmen die ideale Möglichkeit, neue Anreize für Innovationen und Geschäftsmodelle sowie neue Kooperations- und Vertriebspartner zu gewinnen.

Weiterführende Informationen sowie einen Link zur Anmeldung finden Sie auf dieser Website.

Wir freuen uns auf Ihre Teilnahme!

Cross-Border Exchange on Cooperation Potential in the Field of E-Mobility Between Taiwan and Germany (Delegation Trip)
15.04 – 19.04.2024 | Location: Taipei, Kaohsiung

Driving Cross-Border Exchange in the Field of E-Mobility Between Taiwan and Germany into the Future (Networking Event)
16.04.2024 | Location: Taipei

Geschäftsanbahnung für deutsche Hersteller Zweiräder inkl. Zweiradkomponenten
13. – 17.05.2024 | Location: Taipei

Become part of our GTO German Business Alliance!
More information about our membership packages on our website.

Wussten Sie, dass der Produktionswert der taiwanischen Fahrradindustrie in den ersten zehn Monaten 2022 einen Rekordwert von 6 Mrd. US$ erreichte? Taiwan beherbergt einige der weltweit führenden Fahrrad- und E-Scooter-Hersteller und die Vielzahl an Zulieferbetrieben decken nahezu die gesamte Wertschöpfungskette ab.

Vom 13. bis 17. Mai 2024 findet eine Geschäftsanbahnungsreise für deutsche Unternehmen nach Taiwan statt. Die Reise wird vom Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz im Rahmen des Markterschließungsprogramms gefördert.

Sichern Sie sich Ihre Teilnahme für die Geschäftsanbahnung nach Taiwan und erschließen Sie den taiwanischen Markt für Zweiräder, Zweiradkomponenten, Fahrräder, E-Bikes, Scooter und Pedelecs, um Ihren idealen Vertriebs- und Geschäftspartner zu finden und wertvolle Einblicke zu erhalten!

Weiterführende Informationen sowie einen Link zur Anmeldung finden Sie auf unserer Webseite.

Step aboard the future of transportation at BUS2BUS 2024, where innovation meets the open road! Get ready to explore the next generation of buses that redefine the journey. All aboard for a thrilling ride into the future!

BUS2BUS 2024 is taking place from April 24 – 25 in Berlin, the trade fair is an innovative business platform for the bus and supplier industry in Germany and Europe, focusing exclusively on the bus industry. The show is expected to be bigger than last year, with more buses and test drive opportunities than ever before.

Combining a trade show, an informative Future Forum, and presentations & workshops, it covers the entire spectrum of future technologies and showcases the latest trends and innovations in the bus industry.

One ticket, many possibilities: The BUS2BUS 2024 ticket includes practical workshops and test drives in advanced vehicles, access to a two-day stage program with in-depth insights into the industry and the opportunity to make contacts with industry leaders and prominent political decision-makers to shape the future of mobility together.

Contact us to receive your exclusive GTO voucher code to enjoy a 25% discount.

If you have any questions regarding ticketing, please contact our colleague Ms. Peng (02-7735-7524 / peng.venus@taiwan.ahk.de) for further information.

In our interview with the new Managing Director of TRUMPF Taiwan Mr. Patrick Kemnitz, he told us about TRUMPF's innovative approach, and the company's plans for the next century. Additionally, Mr. Patrick Kemnitz comments on the importance of sustainability for TRUMPF Taiwan. Read the whole interview on our website.

Decreasing competitiveness in Germany, combined with a weak economy and geopolitical risks, are driving the foreign investments of German industrial companies. Companies also have to consider an increasing number of trade barriers in their location decisions. Consequently, slightly more companies than the previous year intend to invest abroad. Cost savings, rather than expansion, are becoming increasingly prominent. This is the result of a special analysis of the current DIHK Economic Survey from the beginning of 2024. The DIHK examined the investment plans of around 1,900 German industrial companies abroad in more detail.

"Opening up new markets generally provides additional impetus for investments and employment domestically. For many years, foreign investments by German companies have always benefited the location in Germany," said Ilja Nothnagel, Member of the DIHK Executive Board, presenting the special analysis. "However, the tide is turning: More and more companies are now investing abroad because they find the location in Germany too expensive and complicated. They are relocating at the expense of the German location. This is an alarming signal and shows that Germany must become more attractive as a production location again." Of the industrial companies with investment plans abroad, 35 percent cited "cost savings" as the main motive. "Such a high value was last seen in 2008," said Nothnagel. "For smaller companies with fewer than 200 employees, this proportion is almost as high as in 2004 (38 percent), when Germany was the 'sick man of Europe.' Unfortunately, this is a reaction to the deteriorating economic policy conditions in the country," Nothnagel added.

Read more about the survey on the official German website of the DIHK here. The full report is also available in both English and German.

The Scaleup Landing Pad supports growing GreenTech businesses from the fields of mobility, logistics, energy and construction in their expansion to Germany and Europe out of Hamburg.

Your greentech scaleup offers solutions in the fields of mobility, logistics, energy and construction? You can apply for the Landing Pad if your business...

... is between 3 and 10 years old.
... has a proven product-market fit in your home market.
... shows proof of a strong growth phase within the past two years.
... does not have a base in Hamburg nor headquarters in Germany.
... is able to actively participate in Hamburg’s ecosystem during the participation in the Landing Pad.

Interested scale-ups can submit their application online via the Landing Pad website. All submissions will be assessed by a panel of experts. The first admission phase and onboarding are expected to begin in spring.

Approved scale-ups are advised in the programme and encouraged to set up business and establish themselves in Hamburg with the help of individual incentives & services, networks and support (single point of contact). The incentives are divided into Business Development, Location Consulting, Living & Workspace and Business Services. Participating scale-ups receive personalised one-to-one support tailored to their individual needs.

The German Institute in Taipei and the Taipei Representative Office in the Federal Republic of Germany are announcing a call for proposal for joint R&D projects.

Applicants are expected to develop ready-to-market solutions for products, technology-based services or methods in all technological and application areas, which have strong market potential. The Taipei Representative Office in the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Institute in Taipei will respectively provide access to public funding for joint projects.

The Taipei Representative Office in the Federal Republic of Germany (Coordinator: Project Office of A+ Industrial Innovative R&D Program, AIIP PO) and the German Institute in Taipei (Coordinator: AiF Projekt GmbH) will provide all necessary assistance to project partners during all the project proposal, evaluation and monitoring phases.

AIIP PO and AiF Projekt GmbH will evaluate the submitted proposals independently and communicate the results within about 5 months after receiving the proposal.

Find more information on their website.

Am 09. Juni 2024 findet die Wahl der Abgeordneten des Europäischen Parlaments aus der Bundesrepublik Deutschland statt.

Deutsche, die außerhalb der Bundesrepublik Deutschland leben, das 16. Lebensjahr vollendet haben und im Bundesgebiet keine Wohnung mehr innehaben, können bei Vorliegen der sonstigen wahlrechtlichen Voraussetzungen an der Wahl teilnehmen.

Für ihre Wahlteilnahme ist u. a. Voraussetzung, dass sie

1.1  am Wahltag seit mindestens drei Monaten in den übrigen Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union eine Wohnung innehaben oder sich mindestens seit dieser Zeit dort gewöhnlich aufhalten (auf die Dreimonatsfrist wird ein unmittelbar vorausgehender Aufenthalt in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland angerechnet)

oder

1.2  entweder nach Vollendung ihres 14. Lebensjahres mindestens drei Monate ununterbrochen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland eine Wohnung innegehabt oder sich sonst gewöhnlich aufgehalten haben und dieser Aufenthalt nicht länger als 25 Jahre zurückliegt, oder aus anderen Gründen persönlich und unmittelbar Vertrautheit mit den politischen Verhältnissen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland erworben haben und von ihnen betroffen sind,

2. in ein Wählerverzeichnis in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland eingetragen sind. Diese Eintragung erfolgt nur auf Antrag. Der Antrag ist auf einem Formblatt zu stellen; er soll bald nach dieser Bekanntmachung abgesandt werden.

Einem Antrag, der erst nach dem 19. Mai 2024 bei der zuständigen Gemeindebehörde eingeht, kann nicht mehr entsprochen werden (§ 17 Abs. 1 der Europawahlordnung).

• Antragsvordrucke (Formblätter) sowie informierende Merkblätter sind online auf der Seite der Bundeswahlleiterin verfügbar. Sie können auch bei
  den diplomatischen und berufskonsularischen Vertretungen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland,
• der Bundeswahlleiterin, Statistisches Bundesamt, Zweigstelle Bonn, Postfach 170377, 53929 Bonn, Germany;
• den Kreis- und Stadtwahlleitungen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland angefordert werden.

Weitere Auskünfte erteilt das Deutsche Institut Taipei auf seiner Internetseite.

Domestic Travel Strong in 2023: Tourism Administration

Domestic travel in Taiwan remained strong in 2023 despite more Taiwanese vacationing abroad, the Tourism Administration said Monday, citing higher domestic traveler and guest numbers that outpaced the levels seen before COVID-19 hit.

A total of 79.833 million guests stayed in hotels and other types of accommodation in Taiwan in 2023, about 14.489 million more than in 2022, before Taiwan's borders had fully reopened, and about 20,000 more than in 2019.

Of the guests, domestic traveler numbers were up 5.88 percent from 2022 and were up 23.88 percent compared to 2019, indicating strong domestic travel activity during a year when foreign visitor numbers were also up 5.6 million from 2022, the administration said.

(Last access: 14.03.2024 / Focus Taiwan)

Wage Increase in January Outpaces Consumer Index

Average monthly wages rose by 2.3 percent year-on-year to NT$46,140 (US$1,465) in January, outpacing the 1.79 percent increase in the consumer price index (CPI), the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS).

The January figure represented the first positive wage growth in real terms over the past three years, but it might have slipped back into negative territory last month in line with volatile inflation readings and because of the different timing of the Lunar New Year that skewed the comparison results, DGBAS Census Department Deputy Director Chen Hui-hsin (陳惠欣) said.

Holiday disruptions also explained why average total wages — including overtime pay, performance-based commissions and bonuses — registered an 18.54 percent slump from a year earlier to NT$85,796 in January, Chen said.

(Last access: 15.03.2024 / Taipei Times)

Siemens Taiwan Eyes Fast Revenue Growth This Year

Siemens Taiwan aims to grow its revenue at a pace that is twice as fast as Taiwan’s GDP growth this year, as local semiconductor companies are eager to optimize energy efficiency and install automation systems to enhance operational efficiency, the firm said.

Led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台積電), the chip sector is a key revenue contributor to Siemens, as semiconductor companies depend on the German firm‘s automation, energy management and IC design solutions to optimize product and production designs.

“It is our goal to grow. We hope our growth will double Taiwan’s GDP growth,” Siemens Taiwan president and chief executive officer Erdal Elver said in Taipei. “The first half [of this year] will still be in the recovery phase, but we do expect the second half to get better.”

Taiwan’s economy is expected to grow 3.43 percent this year, accelerating from a 1.31 percent expansion last year, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics forecast. Over the past decade, Siemens has been growing its business at a rate of double Taiwan’s GDP growth, thanks to greater exposure to key areas such as renewable energy and smart cities, it said.

(Last access: 14.03.2024 / Taipei Times)

TSMC to List NT$22.8 Billion of Green Bonds on March 15

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is scheduled to list green bonds worth a total of NT$22.8 billion (US$7.26 billion) on the local over-the-counter (OTC) market on March 15, the Taipei Exchange (TPEx) said Monday.

The TPEx, which runs the local bond market, said the chipmaker will add its 20th round of green bonds on Friday.

Since 2020, the world's largest contract chipmaker has been keen to raise funds to finance environmentally friendly projects, and has sold NT$87.6 billion worth of green bonds in Taiwan since 2020, the TPEx said.

According to the TPEx, Taiwan's capital markets and financial authorities have promoted the use of green bonds to encourage companies to act in an environmentally responsible way.

(Last access: 14.03.2024 / Focus Taiwan)