We’ve had a full and exciting week leading up to Lunar New Year. All speakers are now confirmed for our Economic Outlook on March 5! The event will bring together top executives from Siemens, Mercedes-Benz, TAK Associés, Allianz, BASF, Merck, SUSS MicroTec and REMONDIS alongside MOEA Minister Kung Ming‑Hsin. Together, we will unveil this year’s German‑Taiwan Business Confidence Survey results and discuss Taiwan’s 2026 economic trajectory. With sessions covering upcoming regulatory shifts, the outlook for the insurance sector, and a multi‑industry panel on how global companies are navigating Taiwan’s evolving market landscape, this is a must‑attend event—be sure to secure your spot while seats remain.

This week also brought several inspiring moments. I had the honor of attending the inauguration of Yi‑Jun Jen, the 15th President of National Taipei University of Technology, where the university reaffirmed its deep ties with German science and technology partners. We also launched our inaugural intern exchange with Volkswagen Group Taiwan—our interns visited the company’s Taipei headquarters to learn about their career pathways for young professionals.

In addition, we held three company exchanges across the architecture hardware, optoelectronics, and chemical sectors with Häfele Taiwan, Zeiss, and Evonik. Each meeting offered valuable insights into the priorities, challenges, and leadership perspectives of German companies in Taiwan. If you’re exploring opportunities in the E‑Mobility sector, don’t miss our upcoming introductory webinar on the Taiwanese market—registration is still open.

I am also pleased to highlight the 2026 Silicon Saxony Day Business Delegation, which will give Taiwanese companies direct access to Europe’s top semiconductor and high‑tech ecosystem through a focused program of site visits, networking, and industry‑specific tracks in Saxony this June.

Our Business Alliance update features Cologne‑based manufacturer igus, which has introduced a new conductive energy chain, the e‑skin soft ESD. In other news, Germany has announced adjustments to its export control mechanisms to accelerate security‑related approvals, and the German Space Agency has launched a global innovation competition open to companies, start‑ups, research institutions, and individuals.

In Taiwan’s news this week, the Ministry of Economic Affairs reported record startup investment—particularly in key focus industries—and the government announced a major push toward rare‑earth supply chain independence. On the corporate front, Starlux debuted Taiwan’s first Airbus A350‑1000, while Far EasTone expands on the island’s EV charging network.

Wishing you a productive final stretch before the national holiday next week.

• A presentation of the latest Business Confidence Survey, highlighting key political and economic developments, challenges, and expectations shaping German companies’ operations in Taiwan.
• A forward-looking economic outlook on Taiwan’s growth and prospects in the year ahead.
• Industry-focused insights from representatives of leading German companies in Taiwan.
• A relaxed and vibrant Get-together session.

• Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
• Venue: 1F, Noble House, Regent Taipei
• Address: No. 3, Ln. 39, Sec. 2 ZhongShan N. Rd., Taipei 104, Taiwan
• Event Time: 14:30 – 17:30 (Registration Time: 14:00 – 14:30)
• Price: 1,700 NT$* incl. refreshments and drinks.

On Monday, we were honored to attend the inauguration of the 15th President of National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech).

Incoming President Yi-Jun Jen delivered an inspiring address underscoring Taipei Tech’s dedication to strengthening Taiwan’s technical and vocational education. He highlighted the university’s essential role in shaping talent and driving innovation in fields such as AI and advanced industry development.

Taipei Tech maintains strong ties with German academic and business communities through future‑shaping programs, including:

• A vocational training exchange program with HAWtech, an alliance of six leading German universities of applied sciences
• An industry–academia collaboration with Siemens and RichTek to accelerate smart manufacturing

We look forward to deepening these partnerships and building even stronger bridges between industry and academia across borders! 

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting Sean Kuo, the newly appointed General Manager of Häfele Taiwan, at our office. With a strong vision for his new role, Kuo aims to introduce elements of German work culture to the Taiwanese subsidiary and further strengthen Häfele’s presence in the local market.

As a German family-owned enterprise, Häfele Group is globally recognized for high‑quality furniture fittings and architectural hardware. Over the past 25 years, its Taiwan headquarters has built successful partnerships with local real estate developers, manufacturers, architects, and distributors—continuing to uphold the brand’s commitment to functionality, quality, and design.

Here’s to new synergies and impactful cooperation ahead! 

Last week, our Executive Director Eva Langerbeck visited Dr. Shih-Jieh Sun, President of Evonik Taiwan, at their brand-new office near Taipei City Hall. 

Together, we explored new opportunities to deepen collaboration between Evonik and the GTO, with a special focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

About Evonik
Evonik is one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals companies, with a long-standing presence in Taiwan since 1979. Over the decades, they have supported Taiwan’s globally competitive industry clusters—from semiconductors to display/optoelectronics and automotive components—with high-value chemical innovations. 

Our GTO interns visited the VW Group headquarters in Nangang, Taipei, for a morning filled with insights, learning, and cross-company connection. We were welcomed by Mr. Rahil Ansari, CEO of Volkswagen Group Taiwan, who provided an eye‑opening overview of VW’s operations on the island. He spoke candidly about the company’s journey toward greater electrification in Taiwan—highlighting challenges such as limited market demand, regulatory hurdles, and trade restrictions that shape the local EV landscape.

The visit continued at the Volkswagen Training Center, just a short drive away. There, interns got a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at how VW technicians are trained and certified. 

Volkswagen Group Taiwan offers a wealth of opportunities for young professionals—from skill development to exchanges with top management—and this visit gave us an inspiring glimpse into that potential. A big thank you to the VW team for organizing and hosting such a valuable experience. We're excited about the possibilities and look forward to continuing this collaboration in the future!

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Henry Cai, the new head of ZEISS Taiwan, at our offices. 

Our Executive Director Eva Langerbeck and Dr. Jürgen Maurer from GTAI joined the conversation for an insightful exchange on strengthening the long-standing collaboration between ZEISS and our office. We’re proud to have ZEISS as a Platinum Member of our Business Alliance. 

About ZEISS
As a global leader in optics and optoelectronics, ZEISS plays a pivotal role in Taiwan’s semiconductor supply chain with cutting-edge technological solutions. In 2024, the company expanded its footprint by opening a state-of-the-art Innovation Center in Hsinchu, further boosting semiconductor R&D in Taiwan. 

igus has introduced the e-skin soft ESD, a new conductive energy chain designed for cleanroom environments where lithium-ion batteries, microchips, and other sensitive technologies are produced. As demand for electric vehicles and AI technologies rises, production environments require higher performance and stricter protection standards. The new energy chain is both abrasion-resistant and conductive, offering designers greater flexibility and helping eliminate the need for bulky shielding in cable management.

Electrostatic discharge poses a major risk in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, yet traditional power and data cables are typically not conductive. To address this, igus developed the e-skin soft ESD using a specially formulated material that allows electrostatic charges to dissipate safely—much like a lightning rod. This design enables the chain to be installed close to sensitive products without extra shielding or additional space requirements, making it a practical solution for cleanrooms where every centimeter matters.

Compact and durable, the e-skin soft ESD features a closed, tubular housing that supports tight bending radii and even self-supporting use. Made from a high-performance, low-abrasion plastic, it meets stringent cleanroom standards and prevents particles from escaping during operation. Early tests in igus’s cleanroom lab, developed with Fraunhofer IPA, show promising results, and official certification is expected soon.

Read the full press release on our website.

• German Space Agency Challenge: Groundbreaking Cross-Sector Innovations
• ESA BIC Challenge: Join the New Space Economy
• ESA BA Challenge: Space for a Resilient Society
• Airbus Challenge: Boosting Earth-Space Industry Partnerships
• Mercedes-Benz car2space Challenge: Space up your Drive
• OHB Challenge: Sovereign End-to-End Systems

The reforms introduce additional General Export Authorizations (AGG) and update existing ones, easing processes for European defense cooperation and cloud‑based technology exchange. AGG allow exporters to ship selected goods to approved countries without filing individual applications—freeing resources to focus on higher‑risk cases.

A key element of the package is strengthened decision‑making authority for BAFA, enabling faster approvals, especially for technology transfers within Europe and within corporate groups. For more information read the full press release on the BMWE Website.

Economic disputes and legal risks can place a significant burden on businesses, especially in international trade. The 79 Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs), together with the international network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs), offer fast and efficient solutions for conflicts between companies at 150 locations in 93 countries worldwide.

The Court of Arbitration (SGH) at the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) combines the IHKs' many years of experience in the field of alternative dispute resolution with innovative digital applications. It offers solutions from the business community, for the business community: fast, cost-effective, and high-quality. The IHKs and AHKs' offer a range of other tailor-made dispute resolution procedures for you to benefit from.

Find out more on our website.

In light of the European Union’s comprehensive sanctions against Russia, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) has introduced a newsletter on sanctions enforcement. It is published at irregular intervals and is aimed at interested associations, companies, as well as public and other institutions.

The newsletter’s primary goal is to provide businesses with a concise, practical overview of the current status of sanctions legislation, implementation, and enforcement—both in Germany and at the EU level, as well as among G7 partners. The political and legal framework for sanctions is becoming increasingly complex. At the same time, the risk for companies of unintentionally becoming involved in sanction-violating circumvention activities or unauthorized procurement attempts is growing. In parallel, the requirements for robust sanctions and trade compliance are increasing, including for subsidiaries and branches located abroad. This poses significant challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, which often lack extensive compliance structures.

Registration is possible via email at sanktionsoutreach@bmwe.bund.de.

Amphenol LTW, part of the global Amphenol Group, provides rugged interconnect solutions for industries like Factory Automation, Heavy Equipment, Renewable Energy, and AI Datacenters.

Currently seeking talented engineers to join a 3–12 month training program in Taiwan and/or China, gaining hands-on experience on the factory floor and expanding their technical expertise. Participants will provide technical support, design-in assistance, troubleshooting, and presentations for European customers, translating their requirements into engineering solutions and supporting the adoption of new products.

The role also offers the flexibility to work remotely from Europe, combined with frequent travel (50–60%) to customer sites.

Requirements:

• Native German speaker living in Taiwan
• EU citizenship
• Master’s degree in Engineering
• At least 2 years of technical experience
• Fluent English and native level German
• Willingness to relocate to Taiwan and/or China for the training program
• Experience in automation, heavy machinery, renewable energy, or interconnect solutions is a plus

• Receiving and preliminary review of visa applications at the counter
• Preliminary review of applications in the international visa portal
• Data entry on a computer Providing information via email and telephone
• Sending out issued passports
• Managing files

Taiwan Startup Investment Hit NT$100.2 Billion in 2024

Taiwan’s startups attracted NT$100.2 billion in investment in 2024, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ latest white paper. The country now has over 10,500 startups, with healthcare, biotechnology, and electronic hardware leading funding, reflecting a more mature ecosystem. Startup exports reached NT$147.9 billion in 2025, rising 29%, with Southeast Asia showing the fastest growth.

Deputy Minister Ho Chin-tsung said government backing for the five trusted industries and digital transformation has helped drive momentum, alongside rising corporate venture capital. Over 2,300 startups now operate in these priority sectors, with attention shifting toward high‑tech fields like energy and AI.

(02/02/2026 Taiwan News)