Deputy Minister C.C. Chen Addresses AmCham Luncheon

AmCham was honored to invite Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Chern-chyi (“C.C. Chen”) to speak on January 6 at its first luncheon of 2021 – and its first event as the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan – held in the Sherwood Taipei’s third-floor ballroom. Deputy Minister Chen addressed an audience of nearly 80 members and their guests, detailing the progress made at the inaugural U.S.-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) that took place last November.

AmCham Taiwan President Leo Seewald provided some opening remarks, introducing the speaker and briefing members on upcoming events. Seewald highlighted the importance of the EPPD as one of the growing number of avenues for meaningful engagement between Taiwan and the U.S. “We’ve always been focused on free trade agreements and bilateral trade agreements – the big stuff – but this is a different way to work toward those goals,” he said, before giving the floor to Deputy Minister Chen.

As the leader of the Taiwanese delegation to the EPPD, Chen had some particularly eye-opening insights into the current economic relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan, as well as where it is heading. In his speech, he noted that the U.S. Department of State-led initiative was aimed at encouraging strategic cooperation and ensuring economic security through prosperity.

The dialogue also included discussion on how to provide a platform for U.S. businesses to restructure their global supply chains, with an eye to promoting Taiwan as a capable, complementary, trusted partner in this process. Both sides view the following areas as advantageous for U.S.-Taiwan supply chain collaboration:

  • Semiconductors, communications, AI, and other cutting-edge technologies
  • Innovative green energy
  • Strategic medical stockpile
  • Electric vehicles

Chen emphasized that the EPPD is no less significant than the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks that took place between his ministry and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative over several years – and which stalled out in 2016. It may even be as significant as a free trade agreement, he said, in that it represents a political commitment and a bipartisan consensus in Washington regarding Taiwan. It also stands for a “consensus between governments and the business community.”

Looking ahead, Chen said that the incoming Biden administration’s emphasis on improving the U.S. economy underscores the value of the EPPD and of Taiwan’s status as a strong economic partner. He called the dialogue a “living platform,” and noted its importance to strengthening the supply side of the U.S.-Taiwan economic relationship. However, a platform for advancing the market side is still needed. Therefore, Chen concluded, he and his colleagues in government will continue in their unwavering pursuit of a U.S.-Taiwan bilateral trade agreement moving forward.

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Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

Widening Access to Advanced Medical Technologies

Continuing the dialogue surrounding precision medicines and patient-centered care from a similar event three years earlier, the U.S.-Taiwan Innovative Patient-Centered Care Symposium, co-hosted by AmCham Taipei and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), took place at the AIT compound in Neihu on December 18. The aim of the event was to demonstrate the value of innovation and explore the impact that advanced U.S. medical technology could have in Taiwan.

The event sponsors were Abbott Vascular, Edwards Lifesciences (Taiwan), Intuitive Surgical Sarl Taiwan Branch, and Novartis.

Opening remarks were delivered by AIT Director W. Brent Christensen and AmCham President Leo Seewald. The event featured presentations on the latest US medical technologies and success stories shared by several local doctors and medical experts. The speakers were former Vice President Chen Chien-jen; Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan; Wang Jaw-yuan, attending physician in the Division of Colorectal Surgery at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital and a professor at Kaohsiung Medical University; Jong Yuh-jyh, President of the Kaohsiung Medical University; Shih Chun-che, Vice Superintendent of the Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital; and Lu Tse-min, Chief in the Division of Cardiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital.

Among the medical technologies introduced were surgical robotics, gene therapy, innovations for structural heart disease, and advanced medical imaging. The medical experts shared personal stories of how innovative technology have helped to improve the quality of their patients’ lives. They particularly emphasized the importance of expanding access to the latest treatments. Although advanced medical technology requires higher healthcare expenditures, it enables healthcare providers to increase productivity, enhance treatment procedures, and improve clinical outcomes, thereby delivering life-enhancing care for patients.

In concluding remarks, former Vice President Chen expressed optimism that the signing of a bilateral cooperation agreement during U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar’s recent visit would enhance government and business collaboration between Taiwan and the U.S., as well as the sharing of information.

While many innovative U.S. medical technologies are available in Taiwan, cost considerations often pose an obstacle to their widespread adoption. A key theme of the forum was the need for Taiwan’s National Health Insurance program and the private U.S. healthcare sector to work together to identify priorities and implement policies to promote broader access in Taiwan to advanced healthcare treatments.

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Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

Announcing the Graduates of the First Class of NextGen Leadership Program

AmCham is pleased to announce the graduates of the first class of the year-long NextGen Leadership Program. It’s been an exciting year launching the program, and we have been proud to see our NextGen Leaders’ passion, persistence, and tremendous growth throughout the year. The Chamber was delighted to have AmCham Governors Paulus Mok, Country Officer of Citibank Taiwan, and Albert Chang, Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company Taiwan Office, speak about their career paths at the graduation ceremony. We hope their stories will help to inspire and provide guidance for the graduates in their development to becoming successful leaders.  Congratulations to the graduates of the 2020 NextGen Leadership Program!

Anne Hsu 3M Taiwan Sr. Division Manager
Benson Hsu 3M Taiwan Financial Planning & Analysis Manager
Frank Wu 3M Taiwan Sr. Division Manager
Gloria Hsiao 3M Taiwan Marketing Operation Head, CHIM Division
Jassica Wang 3M Taiwan Division manager
Rebecca Huang 3M Taiwan Marketing Development Manager
Stacy Huang 3M Taiwan Legal Counsel
Carol Yang Abbott Laboratories Service Corp. Senior Trade Marketing Manager
Charlene Liu Abbott Laboratories Service Corp. Business Development & Market Access Manager
Elsa Lin Abbott Laboratories Service Corp. Marketing Manager
Barnard Yu Amgen Taiwan Limited Associate Medical Director
Cindy Shih Amway Taiwan Co. Ltd. Head of Key accounts management and Biosimilars
Yen-Po Chen Amway Legal and Governmental Affairs Manager
Jordan Huang BABI Corp. International Sales Manager
Teresa Huang BABI Corp. Operations Manager
Angelica Wang Bechtel / Pacific Engineers and Constructors,  Co.  Ltd (PECL) Deputy Manager of Renewables Business Development
Brenda Pao Biogen Taiwan Ltd. Business Unit Manager, SMA
Yiya Chen Bristol-Myers Squibb (Taiwan) Ltd. Director, Commercial Strategy & Operations
Jessica Chang China Development Financial Holding Corp. Director
Leslley Wang Ford Lio Ho Motor Co., Ltd. Government Affairs Manager
Ariel Chan Johnson & Johnson Medical Taiwan Associate Product Manager
Jill Chen JT Tobacco International Taiwan Corp. Corporate Affairs Manager
Allen Cheng JT Tobacco International Taiwan Corp. People & Culture Strategy Supervisor
Joseph Tseng K&L Gates Counsel
Patrick Ng Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center Project Manager
Kuan-Yu Lai LCS & Partners Counsel
Evan Sheu Makalot. Industrial. Co., Ltd. Project Manager
Aaron Huang Prudential Life Insurance Company of Taiwan Associate Project Manager
Sonia Yu Prudential Life Insurance Company of Taiwan Section head of Customer Experience
Helen Chen SEMI Taiwan Manager

Interested in joining the NextGen Leadership Program? We’re always taking applications, so apply today!

Note: AmCham NextGen Leadership Program is open to all individuals, but the program is intended primarily for AmCham member companies. AmCham reserves the right not to admit applications without explanation.

AIT Director Meets with AmCham Leadership

Continuing his practice of meeting once each quarter to exchange views with the AmCham leadership, AIT Director Brent Christensen and several of his colleagues spent two hours in discussion with Chamber representatives on December 1.

The topics included the pending change in the name of the Chamber from AmCham Taipei to AmCham Taiwan, likely trends in U.S.-Taiwan economic relations in 2021 as a new administration takes office in Washington, and potential new areas of cooperation between AIT and AmCham.

The AmCham attendees were Chairperson CW Chin; President Leo Seewald; Board members Tim Shields, Angela Yu, Roger Yee, Renee Chou, Manohar Thyagaraj, and Stephen Tan; Intellectual Property & Licensing Committee Co-chairs Peter Dernbach and Vincent Shih; AmCham Senior Director Don Shapiro; and AmCham Director of Government and Public Affairs Gwenyth Wang-Reeves.

Accompanying Director Christensen from AIT were Commercial Section Chief Helen Peterson, Economic Section Deputy Chief Arati Shroff, and Economic officer Phill Loosli.

Due to the ongoing renovation project in the AmCham office, the meeting took place in a conference room at Baker McKenzie.

Big Changes and New Directions Mark AmCham’s 2020 AGM

Excitement was in the air at the 2020 AmCham Taipei Annual General Meeting, held at the Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel on November 17. As the Chamber’s signature year-end event, it would serve as the platform for announcing that AmCham Taipei would begin the formal process of becoming the more appropriately named American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan in January 2021. To commemorate this momentous occasion, President Tsai Ing-wen delivered the keynote speech.

Election Results

This year’s AGM drew around 230 members and their guests, and voting for the 2021 Board of Governors and Supervisors took place as members arrived. The six Governors voted in for two-year terms were Justin Chin of AstraZeneca Taiwan, Cynthia Chyn of Amazon Web Services, Paulus Mok of Citibank Taiwan, Terry Tsao of SEMI Taiwan, and Daniel Tseng of Corning Display Technologies Taiwan. They join 2020-2021 Governors CW Chin of Applied Materials Taiwan, Timothy Shields of Cigna Taiwan, Brian Sung of Cadence Design Systems Taiwan, Fupei Wang of Ogilvy Public Relations, Roger Yee of Raytheon Taiwan, and Angela Yu of Microsoft. See the election results details here.

Newly elected for one-year terms as Supervisors were Max Chen of Facebook Taiwan, Shelley Chia of Deloitte and Touche, and Seraphim Ma of Baker McKenzie.

Remarks by VIP Guest Speakers

In brief opening remarks as the luncheon meeting began, American Institute in Taiwan Director W. Brent Christensen emphasized that regardless of the results of the recent U.S. elections, Taiwan continues to enjoy broad, bipartisan support in Washington. He also commended President Tsai for prioritizing transparency and safety in Taiwan, and for creating a “safe, stable environment, which has allowed Taiwan’s businesses to flourish in the face of strong global headwinds that are constraining growth in so many other economies.”

In her keynote speech, President Tsai congratulated the Chamber for successfully moving to change its name to AmCham Taiwan, which she said is “a true reflection of its membership.” She said that she believes the organization will “play a crucial and significant role in the development of Taiwan’s partnerships in the future.” She also spoke of Taiwan’s success in containing COVID-19 and its ability to maintain positive economic growth throughout the pandemic without needing to resort to lockdowns.

Lastly, President Tsai acknowledged the great recent strides made in the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, noting Taiwan’s importance as the U.S.’ ninth largest trading partner and 11th largest export market. She also cited the visit to Taiwan in September by Keith Krach, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, and the resulting U.S.-Taiwan Economic Partnership Dialogue held between Taiwan officials and the State Department in Washington this month.

Tribute to Don Shapiro’s Retirement

Also of significance at this year’s event was Chairperson CW Chin’s announcement that Don Shapiro, AmCham Taipei Senior Director and Editor-in-Chief of its Taiwan Business TOPICS magazine, would be retiring from his full-time position at the end of the year, while continuing in an advisory capacity. Chin and AmCham President Leo Seewald thanked Shapiro for his invaluable contributions to the Chamber and presented him with a commemorative plaque.

Year in Review

AmCham President Leo Seewald and Chairperson CW Chin also summarized the Chamber’s achievements over the past year. View the full presentation below.

2020 Annual General Meeting from The American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei

View the full photo gallery here.

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Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

Preparing for Taiwan’s Future Super-aged Society

The 2020 AmCham Taipei Longevity Forum 2.0 was held on November 11 at the Sherwood Hotel, drawing an audience of 90 members and their guests. The forum featured speakers and panelists from government, academia, and industry, allowing for a diverse range of viewpoints and an eye-opening discussion of the projected impact of Taiwan’s aging society and the potential solutions. AmCham was honored to gather key policy and opinion leaders in the same room to explore one of Taiwan’s most pressing issues.

The event’s keynote speech was delivered by Kao Shien-Quay, deputy minister of the National Development Council, who noted the urgency of addressing Taiwan’s rapidly aging population, the rate of which is on par with Singapore and South Korea. Moving forward, Kao said, the government has the responsibility to work together with private industry in applying digital solutions to the economic and social issues associated with an aging society.

A presentation by Distinguished Professor Wu Shiao-chi of National Yang-Ming University’s Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, suggested potential policy directions for coping with Taiwan’s aging society, including those related to the workforce and the urban environment.

Next, Wang Ying-wei, director general of the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, discussed the high rate at which Taiwan’s population is aging and the consequences of this phenomenon for the whole of society. Both Wu and Wang pointed to the World Health Organization’s Active Aging framework as a possible way of counteracting the negative effects of an increased elderly population. WHO defines active aging as “the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age.”

While travel restrictions due to COVID-19 prevented Aaron Jones, Cigna’s Head of Analytics for APAC, from attending in person, he addressed the audience virtually in a pre-recorded video. Jones highlighted the importance of data and analytics in responding to the needs of an aging society. He also noted Cigna’s role in utilizing augmented intelligence – the process of combining human experience with machine intelligence – to deliver affordable, predictable, and simple healthcare to its customers. Taiwanese Osteoporosis Association board director Tu Shih-der also delivered a speech on public-private partnerships for reducing the rate of osteoporosis in Taiwan.

This year’s Longevity Forum featured two panel discussions moderated by Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan and Acer Group founder Stan Shih, respectively. Panelists included the NDC’s Kao Shien-quay, HPA’s Wang Ying-wei, Academia Sinica researcher Yang Pan-chyr, Yang-ming University’s Wu Shao-chi, National Health Insurance Administration Medical Review and Pharmaceutical Benefits Division Head Tai Hseuh-yung, Amgen Taiwan General Manager Joyce Lee, and Cigna Taiwan Life Insurance General Manager and CEO Tim Shields. The topics discussed were how to achieve a healthy aging society through preventative screening and cross-industry cooperation, and how to use public-private partnerships and big data to create a more effective strategy in preparation for a super-aged society.

In closing remarks, AmCham Taipei President Leo Seewald said that given Taiwan’s success in handling the COVID-19 pandemic and its world-class healthcare system, the development of an effective, comprehensive approach to Taiwan’s longevity issues is an area where the island economy can really shine.

The forum’s platinum sponsor was Amgen. Cigna was the silver sponsor.

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Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

Minister Chen Shih-chung Speaks at AmCham Luncheon

Although Europe and the U.S. are experiencing a devastating second wave of COVID-19 cases, Taiwan recently marked 200 days without a local infection. This feat was no accident, and much credit can be given to the hard work of Taiwan’s public health authorities, notably the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) headed by Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung. The Taiwanese public has tuned in since late January to daily press briefings from Minister Chen and his colleagues at the CECC. He has since become a veritable celebrity in Taiwan, with memes of his likeness spread across the internet, heavy coverage in the local press, and an appearance on the cover of GQ Taiwan in September.

AmCham Taipei was therefore delighted and humbled to invite Minister Chen to speak at a special luncheon at the Grand Hyatt on October 30. During his speech, he stressed Taiwan’s experience combating SARS as a major factor in its preparedness for subsequent virus outbreaks. Yet he also noted the challenges of fighting COVID-19, whose symptoms are often less acute or consistent across patients. And while SARS was contained relatively quickly before it could spread much beyond Asia, the current coronavirus has seeped into every continent besides Antarctica and does not look likely to end before a vaccine is developed.

Minister Chen also noted that besides providing people with regular updates on the status of the pandemic in Taiwan, his team’s daily press briefings were successful in another way: dispelling mis/disinformation. After Taiwan experienced an initial outbreak of COVID-19 in the early months of 2020, misinformation regarding masks and other necessities, as well as more sinister disinformation campaigns about infection numbers and death rates, began to proliferate online. In each case, the CECC was able to quickly counter the false claims and keep the public correctly informed.

At the end of his speech, Minister Chen answered several questions from the audience, the largest gathered since AmCham began its Meet the Minister series this year. The Chamber is incredibly grateful to Minister Chen and his colleagues at the Ministry of Health and Welfare for their immense efforts in keeping Taiwan’s public safe and healthy during these unprecedented times.

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Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

Minister John Deng Addresses AmCham Luncheon

AmCham Taipei was honored to invite Minister without Portfolio John Deng, one of the Taiwan government’s chief experts on international trade, to speak on U.S.-Taiwan economic and trade relations at a special luncheon held in the Mandarin Oriental’s Grand Ballroom on October 22. Minister Deng previously served as chief representative at the Office of Trade Negotiations (2007-2008) and as minister of economic affairs (2014-2016). The Chamber was therefore delighted to have him share his insights on the current U.S.-Taiwan relationship, as well as on the prospects for a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between the two partners.

Deng stressed the strong and stable nature of trade and investment between Taiwan and the U.S. Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. rose by 7.1% between January and September this year, despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also remarked that the economies of Taiwan and the U.S. – particularly in the areas of semiconductors and IC products – are highly complementary, making them natural trade partners.

No relationship is without its challenges, however. Although President Tsai Ing-wen removed a longstanding trade barrier when she announced in August that restrictions on the import of certain types of U.S. beef and pork would be eased starting next year, the move has met with some public criticism. In particular, the lack of response from the office of the U.S. Trade Representative has left some questioning the value of ending the import restrictions. The USTR’s focus on implementing the phase one trade deal with China may have been a factor in the agency’s silence, Deng noted.

Nevertheless, many positive signs have been coming from Washington recently. Deng highlighted evidence of bipartisan Congressional support for a U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement, including a joint letter signed by 161 U.S. Representatives and another signed by 50 Senators calling on the USTR to begin negotiations for a BTA with Taiwan. And the recent high-level visits to Taiwan by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and that of Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith J. Krach indicate significant progress in the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.

These developments can serve as a solid foundation for future relations, regardless of the result of the U.S. presidential election in November, Deng concluded.

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Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

A Virtual Trip Around the World – at the American Ball

AmCham Taipei’s 2020 American Ball was an evening of glitz and glamor as nearly 300 members and their guests arrived at the Grand Hyatt Taipei dressed in dashing tuxedos and elegant evening gowns. While the COVID-19 pandemic has severely restricted international travel, the theme of this year’s ball – Fly Me to the World – aimed to bring the world to attendees. The event featured a world-class meal, international performances, and dance-worthy sounds from around the globe.

View the full photo gallery here

As guests began to trickle in, they made their way from the photo stand in the hotel’s lobby to the registration area outside the Grand Ballroom on the third floor. There they were treated to an eye-catching display of duty-free products supplied by Ever Rich, including high-value Taiwanese tea sets, as well as other local snacks and assorted goods. Those wishing to further memorialize their attendance at this premier event had the chance to strike a pose at two photo stations upstairs.

2020 American Ball – AmCham x Ever Rich

The evening’s festivities kicked off with a lively dance performance, transporting the audience to France and Spain with traditional songs and beautiful costumes. It was a hard act to follow, but Master of Ceremonies Roger Yee rose to the occasion, eliciting laughs and applause from guests and putting everyone at ease. He was joined onstage by AmCham Taipei Chairperson CW Chin and President Leo Seewald, and the three raised a toast on behalf of the host organizations.

2020 American Ball – Dance Performers

As the night continued, guests were treated to a sumptuous intercontinental meal, whose courses included Spanish-style smoked halibut, pineapple sorbet with coconut crumble for lovers of Hawaii, Netherlands-style roasted U.S. beef tenderloin, and a coffee chocolate bonbon representing Italy. It was the kind of feast that lets you savor the world without ever needing to leave the dinner table. To complement this delicious spread, bottles of Robert Mondavi Winery Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay were provided by drinks sponsor Sergio Valente, while whisky drinkers enjoyed glasses of Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish from Diageo.

Live music for the American Ball was provided by Sherwyne Pereira and his band MODA, while local DJ Rick Kraft spun a range of contemporary jams and classic tunes, getting people in the dancing spirit. Those who still had room after dinner could take a break from the dancefloor for a late-night snack of pulled pork sandwiches and Spanish churros. Meanwhile, free-flow refreshments were available at the bar throughout the night.

2020 American Ball – Dance Floor

The 2020 American Ball was made possible by the generosity of a number of sponsoring organizations. These included Grand Prize Sponsor Samsung; Wine & Liquor Sponsors Diageo and Sergio Valente; Gold Sponsors Amgen, Grand Hyatt Taipei, and HSBC; Décor Sponsor Merck; and Silver Sponsors Corning, The Rehfeldt Group, and GSK.

The party featured raffle drawings with attractive prizes throughout the night. The grand prize, from Samsung, was a 65” QLED 4K television. Other prize sponsors included the Grand Hyatt Taipei, Amba Taipei Songshan, CÉ LA VI Taipei, eslite hotel, Everrich, Hotel Eclat Taipei, Hotel Indigo Taipei North, Hotel Royal Group, Howard Plaza Hotel Taipei, Madison Taipei, Mandarin Oriental Taipei, Mellow Fields Taipei, Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, The Landis Taipei, The One, The Place Taipei, Regent Taipei, Sherwood Taipei, Westin Tashee Resort Taoyuan, and W Taipei.

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Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

AmCham Taipei Celebrates 69 Years of Outstanding Service and Leadership

On September 17, AmCham Taipei commemorated its 69th anniversary with an evening celebration at the Mandarin Oriental hotel. Over 100 guests, including members new and longstanding, dined on the hotel’s delicious international cuisine, caught up with peers and friends, and raised a toast to the Chamber’s more than six decades of outstanding service to the international business community. The event was sponsored by SGS and the Invest Taipei Office, and drinks were provided by Diageo.

To kick off the evening, AmCham Taipei Chairperson C.W. Chin gave a short speech describing the Chamber’s dedication to further improving the business environment for its members and to strengthening the economic relationship between Taiwan and the U.S. Leo Seewald, president of the Chamber, then announced that AmCham Taipei is in the process of undergoing a name change – to the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan – to better reflect the organization’s scope and responsibility. AmCham’s membership encompasses the whole of Taiwan, Seewald noted, and in terms of its advocacy efforts, it works mostly with the central government on issues of regulatory policy.

Huang Shan-Shan, deputy mayor of Taipei city government, briefly addressed the guests, emphasizing the work of the Invest Taipei Office. ITO is a one-stop platform established by the city’s Department of Economic Development to assist domestic and overseas companies and entrepreneurs by providing them with knowledge and understanding of Taipei’s business environment, as well as of related policies and legislation.

Interested in attending our events? Join us at other upcoming events, click here.

Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.