Members in the News – Merck Group

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Life sciences conglomerate Merck Group recently opened its new Kaohsiung Delivery Systems and Services site which will supply special gases and forward-looking materials for its semiconductor manufacturing business. This R&D and production center is one of four in the world run by Merck, and will complement the existing thin film materials R&D and production site on the same campus, uniquely bundling key expertise for integrated semiconductor manufacturing. Merck says the plant will triple capacity for the Asian market and serve the semiconductor industry globally.

Merck has been present in Taiwan for over 30 years, in electronics, healthcare and life sciences. Recent acquisitions have catapulted Merck to the forefront of microelectronics technology. The opening of the Kaohsiung plant is the first phase in Merck’s NT$17 billion investment in Taiwan announced in December 2021. The second phase will break ground in early 2023.

Merck Group has been an AmCham Taiwan member since December 2015. Managing Director John Lee has served as an AmCham governor since January 2022 and, recently, as Treasurer, as well as representing the firm, alongside Judy Huang, Head of Communications and Government Affairs, on our new Semiconductor Committee. His colleague Suresh Rajaraman, Senior Vice President and Business Head of Thin Film Solutions, recently stepped forward to co-lead our Chemicals Manufacturing Committee. On the healthcare side Boon Huey Ee, Managing Director for Merck Healthcare in Hong Kong & Macau and General Manager for Merck Healthcare Taiwan, regularly speaks as part of our NextGen Leadership Program, where she inspires the next generation of business leaders. External Affairs Director James Wang contributes avidly to the Pharmaceuticals and Public Health committees.

Members in the News – Qualcomm Taiwan

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San Diego based Qualcomm has launched the “Qualcomm Innovation Center, Southern Taiwan,” to provide support training and testing resources for start-ups engaged in 5G, AIoT, O-RAN, small-cell base stations, and robotic tests. According to news reports, it is the second innovation center Qualcomm has opened in Taiwan. AmCham is proud of Qualcomm’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship within Taiwan’s technology sector.

Qualcomm Taiwan President S.T. Liew said during the opening ceremony of the center that as a leader in global wireless communications innovation, Qualcomm is eager to work with likeminded partners globally to strengthen technology development and boost the economy.

Additionally, Qualcomm has collaborated with the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, as well as launching the “Wireless Reach” program to support 5G innovative education.

  • Qualcomm has been a loyal and generous member of AmCham Taiwan for 18 years, and has previously sponsored our annual Hsieh Nien Fan celebrations. More recently, Qualcomm was the cover sponsor for the August 2022 edition of TOPICS magazine, which took an in-depth look at Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.
  • During a recent seminar held by AmCham’s Semiconductor Committee titled “Why Taiwan is an Attractive Place to Invest,” Liew reiterated his belief in Taiwan as a solid international business partner. In addition, he encouraged the Taiwan government to increase their advocacy efforts, particularly internationally. Liew is the founding co-chair of AmCham’s Semiconductor Committee.
  • Qualcomm has also authored parts of our annual White Paper and joined discussions with Taipei and DC government officials.

Members in the News – Costco Wholesale Taiwan

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U.S.-based Costco Wholesale Corp. has confirmed that it will become the sole owner of Costco in Taiwan after it bought out the remaining 45% stake from Kaohsiung-based President Group. (Read the news coverage here.) AmCham is proud of our member Costco Wholesale Taiwan’s commitment to the Taiwan market.

Since it first began operations in Kaohsiung 25 years ago, Costco has now opened 14 outlets across the island. Not only is this American retail giant wildly popular among Taiwanese – three out of the 14 stores rank among the firm’s most profitable branches – it is also worth noting that the firm and its leadership have been stalwarts of the AmCham community. A few facts about Costco’s involvement with the Chamber:

  • Costco has been a loyal and generous member of AmCham Taiwan since 2000.
  • The company has also been a strong supporter of AmCham events, publications, and industry committee agendas. Its General Merchandising Manager, Peggy Liao, is currently a co-chair of AmCham’s Retail Committee.
  • Costco has strived to improve the business environment in Taiwan. It has authored parts of the Chamber’s annual White Paper and been actively involved in discussions with Taiwan and U.S. government officials.
  • Costco’s Senior Vice President – Asia, Richard Chang, has been an inspirational figure in Taiwan’s business community. Chang gives back to society through his book Coaching Yourself and his mentorship of budding talent, including through his recent appearance as a speaker for the AmCham NextGen Program. Chang’s charisma and life story have captivated countless young leaders in Taiwan.

Members in the News – Intuitive Surgical Sarl Taiwan Branch (Switzerland)

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Intuitive Surgical has performed over 10 million robotic-assisted surgical procedures worldwide by surgeons using the Da Vinci Surgical System. The cutting-edge medical technology has helped many patients in Taiwan. It is not, however, affordable for everyone. Even though Intuitive’s training footprint and hospital installations are growing across the island, dozens of essential surgical procedures remain excluded from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance. To include advanced medical technologies of this kind in the national coverage would benefit many of its citizens.

AmCham Taiwan has long been an advocate for advanced health technologies that have not been widely accepted in Taiwan. The Chamber co-hosts the Citizen’s Health Forum, Healthy Aging Forum, U.S.-Taiwan Liver Health Forum, and Healthcare Innovation Forum to promote new medical devices and procedures to the Taiwanese government. The Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP) that AmCham had supported in the White Paper for years was finally accepted by Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration in 2022.

Read A Breakthrough for Medical Devices in Taiwan Business TOPICS.

AmCham continuously seeks out opportunities to work with the U.S. and Taiwan authorities to reform healthcare regulations. We hope that a large number of patients will receive better care with more options of medical treatments.

We wish Intuitive Surgical Sarl Taiwan Branch (Switzerland) Vice President and General Manager Jason Yang and his impressive team continued success!

Members in the News – 2022 Forbes Travel Guide Star Award winners

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A big congratulations to all these AmCham member companies which were selected to be 2022 Forbes Travel Guide Star Award winners:

Mandarin Oriental in Taipei
Regent Taipei
Taipei Marriott Hotel
W Taipei
Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei
Grand Hyatt Taipei

For more detail, see here.

Members in the News – GIS Group

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Read here how GIS Group and its CEO, Jason Yeh, an active member of AmCham Taiwan and co-chair of the Tourism and Travel Committee made waves, and a cultural statement, while unveiling a first-of-its kind international exhibition center in Tainan on April 21.

In the months and years to come, you will be hearing more about this significant economic development initiated by the Bureau of Foreign Trade and Tainan City Government. The center will be operated by GIS.

In this first in a series known as Members in the News, AmCham Taiwan provides supplemental color on a few of our many dynamic members who are regularly hitting the headlines with significant commercial news from and with Taiwan. And please scroll down for some background on our first Member in the News, GIS.

THE FIRM: ICC Tainan joins convention and meeting venues operated by GIS across Taiwan. They offer a range of spaces including the hip Nangang Bottle Cap Factory (POPOP Taipei). GIS Group provides a total meeting solution, from face-to-face, virtual, and hybrid meeting management to congress organization, AV equipment rental, and interpreting.

THE MEMBER: An AmCham Taiwan member since December 2015, GIS has been a driver of the Travel & Tourism Committee and is currently advocating visa normalization and responsible reopening of Taiwan for international business. Look for them next in the Transportation & Logistics and Healthcare Committees.

THE PHILOSOPHY: More than a MICE practitioner, GIS is passionate about destination marketing and authentically represents cultures where it operates, while promoting sustainability. GIS’ values jumped out in the stirring performances arranged for 600 guests at the ICC Tainan opening. First, elementary students sang in the once-lost language of the Siraya people – the ones who gave Taiwan its name. Then, the region’s seafaring and international connections – from fishing to Dutch settlement – were evoked by the Billy Chang dancers.

BOTTOM LINES:

  • A pioneer in Taiwan meetings and events since 1991; first Taiwanese company to run government-built Convention and Exhibition Center.
  • Breaking new ground in connecting southern Taiwan to the world and vice versa.
  • Advocate and thought leader around more inclusive and sustainable ways to build a modern tourism industry and business events in Taiwan.