Dear Subscriber,

As we find ourselves swiftly moving through the calendar, it is astonishing to realize that we have already completed a fourth of 2024. Time indeed flies.

First off, I'd like to emphasize that TMTS 2024 is taking place this week. Your presence there would be greatly appreciated as the industry leaders showcase their newest machinery products and services at our German Pavilion. For further insights, check out our Top News.

Before we delve further, I feel the need to point out one upcoming event in particular. Our eagerly anticipated networking event, co-organized by DEinternational Taiwan and NRW Global Business, awaits on April 16. This event serves as a vital platform for forging connections between Taiwanese and German companies in the name of e-mobility. Secure your spot now for what promises to be an enriching opportunity. Find more details in our Top News.

Exciting developments also occured at the Taipei Smart City Summit & Expo in Taipei and Kaohsiung last week, where we had the honor of welcoming esteemed delegations from various German regions and cities. Read more about it in our GTO News.

Regarding education and cultural exchange, last week marked the biannual intern exchange conducted in collaboration with the German Institute Taipei. Our interns had the privilege of engaging in activities that revolved about career advice and professional growth. We are delighted to witness the interpersonal bonds formed during this exchange. Read more about the meetup in our GTO News.

Moreover, our colleague Mr. Christoph Lory had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Olaf Gersemann and Mr. Pascal Roski from WELT-Gruppe and Axel Springer SE respectively at the German Institute Taipei. They discussed Taiwan's advancements in AI technologies. More details can be found in our GTO News.

Additionally, we are delighted to announce the return of Medical Taiwan 2024, following its resounding success in 2023. Scheduled for June 20-22 and given the shared challenge of aging populations in both Germany and Taiwan, Medical Taiwan will explore the latest developments in smart healthcare. We are excited to announce that the German Pavilion is now open for exhibitor registration! Please refer to our Trade Fair News and learn more about how to sign up for this exceptional opportunity.

As we say farewell to the cold season, may this final week of March lead to new beginnings.

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

Make sure to note this week on your calendars: It is time for TMTS 2024! Proudly presented by the Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association, the trade fair kicks off this week on Wednesday (March 27). Our German Pavilion, located in Tainex Hall 1 on the 4th floor, is poised to shine as our esteemed German exhibitors prepare to unveil their products and services. Explore a wide range of offerings from high-quality turning workholding to state-of-the-art grinding machines and magnetic tools expertise. For more details about the exhibitors and the event, please visit our official website and our InfoBrief Special Edition. We look forward to welcoming you this week at TMTS.

On April 16, 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

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.

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.

Exciting week at the Taipei Smart City Summit & Expo in Taipei and Kaohsiung as we welcomed delegations from various regions and cities across Germany!

Starting with a joint briefing led by Dr. Jörg Polster, Director General of the German Institute Taipei, and our colleague Ms. Linda Blechert, we embarked on a comprehensive tour of Taipei 101, showcasing its smart features and sustainability initiatives.

Later, we were warmly greeted by Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-An at the Taipei City Hall, where he shared his ambitious vision for Taipei's future development as the most foreigner-friendly city in Asia. Our German guests were particularly impressed by the TPASS Public Transportation Monthly Pass launched last year, offering unlimited rides across Taoyuan City, Taipei City, New Taipei City, and Keelung City for just NT$1,200. This initiative aims to promote public transportation usage and reduce commuting costs, marking the first step toward building a MEGA CITY!

We sincerely thank the city of Karlsruhe and its Mayor Dr. Albert Käuflein, the State of Brandenburg and the Minister at the Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Planning in Brandenburg Mr. Rainer Genilke, the City of Hamburg and its Senator for Traffic and Mobility Transition Dr. Anjes Tjarks, the City of Sindelfingen and the FDP delegation from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for their visits, and we look forward to fostering more cooperation between German and Taiwanese cities in the future!

Last week was a stimulating one as we had the privilege of accompanying Mr. Rainer Genilke, Minister at the Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Planning in Brandenburg, to an exciting visit of our GTO German Business Alliance Member DB Schenker Regional Office in Taipei. Mr. Genilke and his delegation were warmly greeted by DB Schenker’s Vice President, Mr. Antoine Bouin, and his team.

During the visit, insightful discussions unfolded regarding Taiwan's role as a global logistics hub, highlighting Taipei as the 7th largest air cargo airport worldwide and Kaohsiung as the 17th largest cargo port in 2021. We delved into current logistical challenges, cargo routes, shipping times as well as the transformative impact of COVID-19 on supply chains – back from a “just in time” model to warehousing. We extend our sincere gratitude to DB Schenker for such a lively discussion and engaging dialogue.

Last  week marked the occurrence of our biannual intern exchange, conducted in collaboration with the German Institute Taipei (GIT).

Our current cohort of interns, comprised of three German and three Taiwanese students, had the opportunity to participate in various activities throughout the week, alongside an intern employed at the German Institute Taipei who also joined as part of the program.

The exchange began with a visit to the German Institute on Monday. Mr. Hauke Kracht, Director of Administrative and Consular Affairs of the German Institute Taipei, welcomed our interns in the lobby of Taipei 101 and escorted them all the way to the 33rd floor. After showing them around their office, he shared valuable advice on how to start a career at the German Federal Foreign Office. Shortly after, General Director Dr. Jörg Polster joined to greet the interns, giving a short but inspiring talk about the political relationship between Germany and Taiwan as well as his personal experiences in the Foreign Service.

On Wednesday, we welcomed the intern from the German Institute to our office. Five representatives from five different departments delivered brief presentations on their respective tasks and responsibilities, offering the interns a comprehensive understanding of the operations of the German Trade Office. A Q&A session followed every presentation which really contributed to the exchange on both sides. On both days the interns went out for lunch once the events were over, accompanied by employees from our office.

Our interns benefitted highly from these two events. Not only did they gain a better understanding of each other’s roles, but we are also happy to see them bond – Their interactions have transcended professional realms, as they organized regular lunch meetings now where they discuss both personal matters and innovative and fresh ideas related to their work. And essentially, fostering such connections is what the intern exchange is all about.

We thank the German Institute Taipei for our great partnership, and we are already looking forward to hosting the next intern GTO-GIT exchange.

Our colleague Mr. Christoph Lory, Senior Manager Media & Communications, had the pleasure to meet Mr. Olaf Gersemann, Head of the Business and Economics Desk at WELT-Gruppe—a renowned German media group based in Berlin—and Mr. Pascal Roski, Senior Full-Stack-Developer | Technical Project Manager at Sales Impact, the distribution company of Axel Springer SE—one of Germany’s biggest mass media companies. The meeting took place at the German Institute Taipei (GIT) and was hosted by Dr. Jörg Polster, Director General of the GIT.

Together with our colleagues from the German Institute Taipei, we supported Mr. Gersemann and Mr. Roski in the past few months in finding suitable interview partners on the topic of generative AI and fake news during their visit to Taiwan. Over the past three weeks, the two journalists gained a detailed insight into how Taiwanese institutions cooperate in the development of AI technologies and their fight against fake news. Among others, they met with representatives of the Ministry of Digital Affairs, Taiwan's National Institute of Cyber Security (NICS), the Institute for Information Industry, National University of Kaohsiung, Taipei Tech, and selected Taiwanese companies that specialize in various AI applications.

It is amazing to see that German media outlets are interested in Taiwan’s progress in AI technologies and what Germany could learn from it. We thank Mr. Gersemann and Mr. Roski for their visit and are looking forward to supporting more German journalists with their research efforts about Taiwan’s technology and economy in the future!

Batch No. 4 – Brace yourselves for an exhilarating showcase of ingenuity at TMTS 2024!

Mark your calendars! Enabled by the Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association, TMTS 2024 will present the latest breakthroughs, commencing next week on March 27. Our German Pavilion is ready to steal the spotlight as our German exhibitors gear up to present their products and services.

This week, we are thrilled to introduce you to our final batch of exhibitors gracing TMTS 2024! Stop by at our German Pavilion to meet:

19. SMW-AUTOBLOK (M0532): High quality range of turning workholding and clamping technology
20. Spanset Taiwan Limited (M0629): Offering solutions in lifting, load securing, and height safety equipment
21. vollmergroup Asia Pacific Co. Ltd. (M0632): State-of-the-art grinding, erosion and processing machines
22. WTO Werkzeug-Einrichtungen GmbH (M0720): Top-quality precision toolholders and tooling systems for turning centers, Swiss Type lathes and more
23. XMAC GLOBAL CO., LTD. (Tschorn) (M0520): Experts in magnetic tools, magnetic/non-magnetic filtration and separation equipment

For additional details and information about the exhibitors and the event, visit our official website and check out our InfoBrief Special Edition.

See you next Wednesday at TMTS! 

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.

The textile industry is one of the major industries globally known for its high pollution and carbon emissions. In recent years, many downstream sports and fashion brands have set ambitious carbon-neutral targets, thereby driving the transformation of upstream processing industries. In response to this trend, Covestro, as an expert in waterborne polyurethane (PU) coatings, presented a technical topic titled “Circular Textile Coatings Solutions with INSQIN®” at the 16th International Technical Textiles Symposium 2024 on March 20. Covestro’s aim was to introduce the Taiwanese textile industry, which is mostly original equipment manufacturing (OEM), to the environmentally friendly coating trends pursued by international customers.

Covestro’s fossil-based waterborne coatings have become industry leaders due to their excellent coating functionality and comfort. Recently, the Covestro group published its climate neutrality targets for Scope 3 emissions[1] at the end of February this year and invited partners throughout the value chain to actively participate in the low-carbon future and achieve its comprehensive climate neutrality vision. INSQIN®, the Covestro brand introduced at the symposium, maintains consistent quality while focusing on sustainability, and includes partially bio-based, partially biodegradable, and mass-balanced waterborne PU coating solutions. To meet the needs of renowned international sports brands, Covestro has also collaborated with Taiwanese manufacturers in the development of bio-based coating formulations.

Read the full press release on our website.

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.

Die größte Highlight-Veranstaltung der IHK München und der AHK Greater China in Deutschland bietet die ideale Plattform sich über die aktuellsten Entwicklungen in China zu informieren.

Hochrangige Unternehmensvertreter und ausgewiesene China-Experten aus Deutschland und China diskutieren neuste Wirtschaftstrends. Breakout-Sessions bieten praxisnahen Austausch zu wichtigen Aspekten der Geschäftsabwicklung (Recht und Steuern, Exportkontrolle, Zoll) oder zu spannenden Zukunftsthemen wie der Chip- und Halbleiterindustrie Taiwans, Chinas Innovationsbranchen oder Hongkongs zukünftiger Rolle im Asien-Geschäft.

Nutzen Sie den Greater China Day als Netzwerkplattform, um sich mit Unternehmen und Multiplikatoren zu vernetzen – nach dem Motto von der Wirtschaft für die Wirtschaft. Seien Sie dabei!

Die Teilnahme ist kostenfrei, aber anmeldepflichtig.

Details

Datum: 27. Juni 2024
Uhrzeit: 09:00 – 17:00
Ort: IHK für München und Oberbayern, Max-Joseph-Straße 2, 80333 München, Deutschland
Ansprechpartnerin: Ulrike Tsougenis 
Telefon: +49 89 5116-1449 
E-Mail: tsougenis@muenchen.ihk.de

 Die Agenda finden Sie auf der offiziellen Webseite.

For the first time in Asia, the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) will hold its Annual Meeting in Taipei from November 11 – 16, 2024. The theme of the 2024 SWS Annual Meeting will focus on understanding the relationship between wetlands and global climate change, and on engaging in the mitigation and adaptation of global environmental and social issues.

More information about the event, including its symposia and workshops, can be found on the official website (information in Chinese can be found on the lower section of the website) or in the official flyer.

The organizers are currently still looking for a Taiwanese company that is active in the field of natural carbon removal to act as co-chair. Interested companies may contact our colleague Mr. Christoph Lory via email directly; we will then forward the information to the person responsible.

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.

Furloughed Workers Down Over 500 as Manufacturers' Orders Stabilize

The number of workers placed on formal unpaid leave programs fell more than 500 in the past half month as some firms in the export-oriented manufacturing sector saw their orders stopping falling in the wake of a revival of global demand, according to the Ministry of Labor (MOL).

Data released by MOL showed the number of furloughed workers fell to 7,288 as of March 15, down 505 from 7,793 as of the end of February, while the number of employers who implemented furlough programs also dropped to 336 from 357.

Speaking with CNA, Wang Chin-jung (王金蓉), deputy head of the MOL's Labor Conditions and Equal Employment Division, said the decline in furloughed workers largely reflected the improving employment in the manufacturing sector as orders showed signs of stabilizing.

(Last access: 20.03.2024 / Focus Taiwan)

Taiwan's Jan-Feb Exports Drop 3.9% Year-On-Year

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced on Wednesday (March 20) that export orders for the first two months of the year totaled US$86.15 billion (NT$2.7 trillion), a year-on-year decline of 3.9%.

The MOEA attributed the decline to fewer working days associated with the Lunar New Year holiday and other seasonal factors. It expressed optimism that AI products could lead to positive export growth in the second quarter, per UDN.

MOEA Department of Statistics Director Huang Yu-ling (黃于玲) said information technology orders were strong in January and February, including demand for AI servers, semiconductors, and IC design. Huang added that demand for server equipment has also shown growth for eight consecutive months, with further inventory drawdowns stimulating order growth.

However, Huang observed weakness in the mobile phone market with demand recovering slowly. Additionally, uncertainty associated with manufacturer inventory due to the U.S.-China technology war and other geopolitical risks could also dampen demand.

(Last access: 20.03.2024 / Focus Taiwan)

Gogoro Sees Strong First-Week Sales in Taiwan for Jego Smartscooter

Taiwanese electric scooter maker and battery-swapping infrastructure provider Gogoro said that the new Jego Smartscooter saw strong sales in its first week on the market.

Gogoro said Jego orders reached nearly eight times its weekly L1 vehicle category sales for 2024, and more than triple its weekly L1 year-over-year sales compared to February 2023. The company plans to start Jego deliveries by the end of March.

Gogoro’s L1 category of electric scooters usually accounts for less than 20% of its sales, but the initial success of the Jego points to interest from a broader market, said Horace Luke (陸學森), Gogoro founder and CEO. Luke added that this could mean a potential shift in the balance of the company’s L1 and L3 vehicle sales.

(Last access: 20.03.2024 / Taiwan News)

Citi Taiwan Won the Asset “Best Bank” and Numerous Accolades with Unparalleled Performance and Significant Deals

The international financial magazine “The Asset” recently announced the winners of the Triple A Awards for Sustainable Finance 2024. Citi Taiwan received ten awards including the “Best Bank for Sustainable Finance” and “Best Corporate and Institutional Adviser, demonstrating that Citi’s local achievements in Taiwan are highly recognized on the global stage.

Moreover, Citi Taiwan also won the “Best Commercial Bank”, which is a new category inaugurated by the Asset Triple A Awards to recognize financial institutions that excel in supporting mid-sized clients, showing that Citi Taiwan is indeed the best financial partner for clients.

(Last access: 20.03.2024 / Taipei Times)