Guest
of Honor was Mr. Jong-Chin Shen, Minister of Economic Affairs (MOEA), who
received the report and who delivered his welcoming remarks. Minster Shen was
accompanied by Mr. Emile M.P. Chang, Director General, Department of Investment
Services (MOEA). From the German Institute Taipei, Deputy Director General Ms. Sabrina
Schmidt-Koschella participated in the event.
“The
Business Confidence Survey 2019 results show that German companies are still very
content with Taiwan as a Business location. With over 40% of the companies planning
investments within the next two years, we noticed a slightly higher willingness
to invest in Taiwan compared to the last two years,” stated Axel Limberg, Chief
Representative and Executive Director of the German Trade Office Taipei, during
his presentation.
However,
Mr. Limberg also sees a need for action by the government to preserve Taiwan’s
attractiveness for foreign companies. He stated: “Only about one-third of the
companies was able to achieve their business targets in 2019. External factors
such as the global economy and the cross-strait relations have dampened the
mood among the companies. Therefore, to offset these external effects, it is now up to the
government to address internal problems such as import restrictions and
bureaucracy and to continue its current government programs, which have already
had a positive effect on two-thirds
of the German companies.”
After
the presentation of the survey results, Ms. Sabrina Schmidt-Koschella and Mr.
Alexander Hirschle, Director Taiwan and Philippines Asia-Pacific of Germany
Trade and Invest presented their evaluation of Taiwan’s political and economic
outlook for 2020. Afterwards, five representatives of renowned German companies
gave an insight into the perspectives of their industry. The speakers were:
- Mr. Erdal Elver, President & CEO of Siemens
Limited Taiwan
- Mr. Dick Hsieh,
President & Managing Director of Merck Ltd.
- Mr. Phylex Ong,
General Manager, BECKHOFF Automation Co., Ltd.
- Mr. Matthias
Schepers, Group Managing Director and Managing Director of Audi Brand,
Audi Volkswagen Taiwan
- Ms. Yuni Wang, Chairman, wpd Taiwan Energy Co., Ltd.
Key
findings of the Business Confidence Survey 2019:
- 97% would choose Taiwan again as a business
location
- 62% consider the global economy to be the biggest
business challenge
- Only 34% were able to achieve their business
targets in 2019, constituting a five-year low
- 64% highly value the qualification of their
Taiwanese staff
- 66% have already profited from current
government programs
- 41% expect the Taiwanese economy to improve
within the next three years, while 46% expect it to remain similar or
unchanged
- 40% are planning to invest in Taiwan within the
next two years