Last week, we gathered at the Regent Hotel in Taipei with more than 100 participants and media representatives for an afternoon of insights and exchange on Taiwan’s economic outlook from a German business perspective.

We were thrilled to present a rich and diverse program, featuring:

• Opening remarks and handover ceremony with Ms. Cynthia Kiang, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs, and Mr. Karsten Tietz from the German Institute Taipei. Tietz emphasized the strengthening ties between Taiwan and Germany—extending beyond business to include political collaboration and scientific cooperation.
• Presentation of the Business Confidence Survey 2025/26 by our Executive Director Dr. Eva Langerbeck, complemented by business insights from Mr. Mark Raine (Mercedes-Benz Taiwan) and Mr. Frank Grunert (Siemens). Grunert highlighted how the innovative power of German companies continues to help them outperform competitors in Taiwan.
• Expert briefings from Mr. Pascal Thien-Ah-Koon (TAK Associés Taiwan) on recent regulatory and legal developments in Taiwan—including pensions, taxation, and AI-related copyright issues—and Dr. Oliver Wohlgemuth (Allianz Taiwan Life Insurance) on key trends in Taiwan’s life insurance industry.
• Panel discussion featuring Mr. Jens Liebermann (BASF), Mr. Jim Tai (Remondis), Mr. Albert Chen (SUSS), and Dr. John Lee (Merck), moderated by Dr. Langerbeck. The panelists explored major industry trends and the geopolitical factors expected to shape Taiwan’s economy in the coming year.

We concluded the afternoon with a lively networking session filled with stimulating discussions and valuable new connections.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to making this event a success!

Key Findings at a Glance

• 65.7% of German companies met or exceeded their 2025 business targets, the third‑strongest result in eight years.
• Total Taiwan–Germany trade reached US$21.7 billion, marking five consecutive years above the US$20 billion threshold.
• AI and semiconductors remain the most promising growth sectors, identified by 94.4% of respondents.
• External risks remain a core concern, including global economic uncertainty and evolving trade policies.
• Long‑term confidence remains robust, with 94.4% of firms indicating no plans to relocate investments.

Visit our website to view and download the full report.

In various meeting formats organized by the German Chambers of Commerce (IHKs), companies can receive individual advice on market opportunities, partnerships, investment prospects, legal and tax matters, and diversification strategies worldwide.

Our Executive Director, Dr. Eva Langerbeck, will represent our office and be available for free one-on-one consultations. Take this opportunity to gain valuable insights, build business connections, and explore new markets.

Dates & Locations:

• Berlin: April 14 – 15 (Individual Consultations)
• Dresden / Chemnitz: April 15 – 17 (Außenwirtschaftstag Sachsen)
• Hannover: April 20 – 22 (Hannover Messe)
• Berlin: April 22 – 24 (Joint Business Council)
• Neu-Ulm: April 24 – 25 (Germany-Taiwan Commercial Council)

For registration inquiries or further information, please reach out to us at info@taiwan.ahk.de. Consultations for the event in Chemnitz can be booked directly here.

As the highest‑level bilateral economic exchange platform between Germany and Taiwan, the JBC serves as a cornerstone for advancing economic cooperation, strengthening strategic partnerships, and expanding investment opportunities between both sides.

This year’s meeting is jointly organized by the International Trade Administration (ITA), the Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association (CIECA), the Asia‑Pacific Association of Taiwan (APA), and the German Trade Office Taipei (AHK Taiwan). Companies are welcome to register to participate in the JBC.

More details will follow soon—stay tuned!

Vivienne completed her First State Examination at the beginning of this year at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf. She has now joined our office to gain hands-on experience in international business relations and public affairs — and to deepen her understanding of the dynamic relationship between Germany and Taiwan.

With family living near Tainan, Vivienne is especially excited about the opportunity to spend an extended period of time in Taiwan, connect with new people, and immerse herself in the local culture.

Outside of work, she likes to be part of volunteer engagement. She is active with the Refugee Law Clinic Düsseldorf, involved in her local UNICEF group, and recently joined GrundGesetzVerstehen e.V. — a pro bono initiative developing innovative teaching concepts on constitutional law.

In her free time, she enjoys classic long German walks with friends and reading a good book.

Over the coming months, Vivienne will support our Events and Government Affairs team in organizing delegations, events, and research activities.

Under the theme “Economic Ties between Taiwan and Germany amid Geopolitical Challenges,” Dr. Langerbeck will provide insights into current trends shaping bilateral cooperation, drawing from the latest data and on‑the‑ground perspectives in Taiwan. The event will bring together experts, policymakers, and industry representatives for an engaging discussion, followed by Q&A and networking.

Date:
March 16, 2026, 6.00-8.00pm
(Doors open 5:30 pm)

Venue:
Taipei Representative Office in Germany
Markgrafenstr. 35, 10117 Berlin

The AI boom is driving up global demand for computing power, with data center capacity expected to double by 2030 to 163 gigawatts, according to estimates by Bain & Company. US tech giants are leading this expansion with massive investments in new data centers, primarily in North America. At the same time, the global trend toward data sovereignty is accelerating the build-out of digital infrastructure worldwide, with substantial new investments in Europe and Asia.

Modern AI data centers require significantly higher power densities than traditional cloud facilities. As a result, energy consumption and energy efficiency requirements are rising sharply. Many countries are beginning to introduce minimum standards for Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and are mandating the use of renewable or carbon-neutral energy sources. This is opening up new market opportunities for German companies, particularly in sustainable data center development and energy supply technologies.

Large data centers are also deploying evaporation-based cooling systems, which are energy-efficient but extremely water-intensive. German companies such are well positioned to benefit from this trend as they invest in new production capacity for liquid cooling systems. As power density increases, so does the need for highly efficient cooling. Traditional air cooling is reaching its physical limits, prompting a shift toward liquid cooling technologies such as direct-to-chip and immersion cooling. 

Read the full article (in German) on the GTAI Website.

The new drylin DLE-CU-9 manual control unit from igus allows engineers to test electric linear systems with stepper motors within minutes and without programming. By removing the need for complex wiring, controllers, or IT systems, it speeds up prototype development and machine commissioning, providing a convenient, ready-to-use solution.

Designed for simplicity and portability, the handheld controller is compact, lightweight, and easy to operate. Users only need to connect power and a stepper motor, then select current and voltage settings. Features such as auto-tuning, adjustable speed control, and forward/reverse motion make the device accessible even to users without electrical engineering expertise.

Beyond testing, the DLE-CU-9 can function as a full motor controller for simple automation tasks, eliminating the need for control cabinets or external systems. This helps companies reduce setup time and lower investment costs, while enabling quick and flexible machine operation in applications like conveyor belt control.

To support international participation, the Taiwan Marine Tech & Unmanned Vehicle Expo (MATURE) 2026 has established an Overseas Buyer Subsidy Program in accordance with the regulations of the International Trade Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan. 

Detailed information regarding the subsidy coverage, eligibility requirements, and documentation procedures can be found on the official website. 

Interested and qualified buyers can register through the online form until April 15, 2026 - sign up now to make use of of this unique opportunity!

• 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

Export Orders Surge 60% Year-on-Year, Data Show

Taiwan’s export orders surged 60.1 percent year‑on‑year in January to a record US$76.9 billion, marking the 12th straight month of double‑digit growth and driven by booming demand for AI, high‑performance computing, electronic components, and ICT products such as servers. Traditional sectors also expanded, partly due to last year’s low comparison base. Machinery orders rose sharply on high‑tech capacity expansion, while plastics, rubber, metals, and chemicals all saw gains.

February orders are expected to grow 9 to 12.9 percent, supported by strong AI momentum, though risks from the Iran conflict, rising fuel costs, and inflation could weigh on global demand and pressure local petrochemical industries in coming months.

Asia Scrambles for Alternatives to Oil and Gas

Asia is scrambling for alternative oil and LNG supplies after Iranian attacks shut Qatar’s main export plant and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, halting crude and LNG flows and leaving tankers stranded in the Persian Gulf. Buyers in China, Japan, India, Taiwan and South Korea are requesting early cargoes and turning to the US, Australia, Africa and regional stockpiles, while firms with take‑or‑pay contracts seek replacement LNG.

Taiwan says its LNG reserves cover needs through March, but prolonged conflict could drain inventories, raise inflation, disrupt supply chains and pressure petrochemical and plastics industries across Asia.

(04.03.2026 / Taipei Times)

ITRI and U.K. Group Sign MOU on Space Supply Chain Collaboration

ITRI and the UK’s ADS Group signed an MOU in London to boost bilateral cooperation across the space supply chain during the Taiwan–UK Space Supply Chain Partnership Forum at Space‑Comm Expo. The agreement aims to deepen collaboration in satellite communications, payload technology, ground systems, and system integration, while promoting supply‑chain resilience, technology development, startup support, knowledge sharing, talent cultivation, and policy coordination.

The partnership is expected to enhance industry links, stimulate innovation, and give Taiwanese companies broader opportunities to expand into European markets, reinforcing shared goals in the evolving global space sector.