President Tsai meets representatives of award-winning businesses
On the morning of October 25, President Tsai Ing-wen met with representatives from outstanding domestic and foreign companies, trade offices in Taiwan, and traditional specialty businesses. She praised the awardees for not only promoting industry upgrades, but also spurring vigorous overall social and economic development, and said that as long as the government and private sectors join forces, we can lead industries to continue to cultivate markets in Taiwan and deploy globally to spur even greater development.
A translation of the president's remarks follows:
This is the fourth consecutive year that I get to meet with representatives from award-winning companies. You are all elite business leaders from various places, and the organizations you represent have outstanding track records in terms of business ethics, business reputation, corporate social responsibility, and expanding commerce and trade.
The outstanding businesspeople receiving awards today are shining examples in their respective fields, and have helped create Taiwan's remarkable import-export trade, and generated tremendous business opportunities. Your efforts have not only promoted industry upgrades, but also spurred vigorous overall social and economic development. So I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere respect and admiration.
I would like to thank our friends in the foreign business community for attaching great importance to the Taiwan market. Last year, our Ministry of Economic Affairs also established "InvesTaiwan," a single window to provide better service, and create an investment-friendly environment. In this changing world, I want to specially thank the representatives from various countries who are stationed here for your unwavering support for Taiwan.
The traditional businesses we are recognizing today have all withstood the test of time, because they meet three important criteria: they uphold tradition, produce high-quality products, and have embraced innovation.
The Siluo Ta-Tung Soya Sauce Company is a good example. Founded over a century ago, they are a leading black bean soy sauce brand. The Smartfish Company has been around for three generations, and has become an innovative model, using their food products to win international acclaim.
The innovative capabilities of industries in all fields have been a key driver of Taiwan's economic growth. According to the latest Global Competiveness Report from the World Economic Forum, Taiwan was named one of the four "super innovators," along with Germany, the United States, and Switzerland. Taiwan also moved up one position in the global competitiveness ranking, and now sits in 12th place.
In closing, I would like to once again congratulate all the awardees. You are all outstanding members of the business community, and among our most respected and admired partners.
I am confident that the transformation and upgrading of Taiwan's economic structure is well underway. As long as the government and private sectors join forces, we can lead industries to continue to cultivate markets in Taiwan and deploy globally to spur even greater development.
The group was led by Chairman Lai Cheng-I (賴正鎰) of the General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China, and accompanied to the Presidential Office by Minister of Economic Affairs Shen Jong-Chin (沈榮津).