Minister Kung Engages with Seven Leading Industry Associations on First Day in Office

NiEA President Chiu Ming-chien, MOEA Vice Minister Lai Chien-Hsin, CNAIC Chairman Wu Thomas T. L., MOEA Minister Kung Ming-Hsin, CNFI Chairman Pan Chun-jung, NASME Chairman Lee Yu-chia, MOEA Deputy Minister Ho Chin-Tsang, TEEMA Chairman Liu Young, MUGA Chairman Hsu Cheng-yun
From left (second row): MOEAEA Deputy Director General Wu Chih-Wei, TITA Director General Liu William, AOC Director General Su Wen-ling, IDA Director General Chiou Chyou-Huey, BIP Director General Yang Chih-Ching, SMESA Director General Lee Guan-Jhih, DOIT Senior Technical Specialist Zou Zong-Xun

On the first day in office (September 1), Minister Kung of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) immediately initiated the "AI Cabinet 2.0" momentum by engaging in dialogue with industry associations. He invited leaders and secretaries-general from seven major business organizations, including the Chinese National Federation of Industries (CNFI), the General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China (ROCCOC), the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce (CNAIC), the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA), the Manufactures United General Association of Industrial Park of R.O.C. (MUGA), and the National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association (NiEA). The meeting served as a platform to listen to the voices of industry and to exchange views on industrial development and the future of Taiwan's economy.

The presidents of the associations commended Minister Kung for his proactive engagement in listening to industry concerns, and during the meeting they raised the challenges faced by enterprises along with concrete recommendations, leading to lively exchanges with the Minister. Discussions centered on several critical industrial issues, including: ensuring stable electricity rates and exchange rates for businesses; easing the burden on industry through a phased implementation of carbon fees; reflecting the difficulties of small and medium-sized enterprises in coping with minimum wage increases; strengthening financial support for industry; encouraging domestic companies to adopt Taiwan's supply chain through policy incentives; providing subsidies for Taiwanese firms to participate in international exhibitions and establish Taiwan pavilions abroad to secure global orders; developing overseas industrial parks to expand local market presence; advocating for the relaxation of labor regulations to optimize the recruitment of foreign talent; and continuously improving regulations and the ecosystem to support innovation and entrepreneurship.

Minister Kung held an exchange meeting with industry associations.　 Minister Kung Ming-Hsin was interviewed after the meeting.

Minister Kung emphasized that the MOEA will not only maintain close engagement with industry associations, but also actively reach the frontlines to listen to the needs of businesses. This week, the MOEA will hold forums with sectors that have been particularly affected, including machinery, machine tools, water ware, plastics, and fasteners, etc. Leveraging the special budget under the "Special Act on Strengthening Economic, Social, and National Security Resilience in Response to International Developments," the MOEA will provide financial and trade support, promote industrial upgrading and transformation, and assist enterprises in navigating global challenges.

The industry associations presented a comprehensive set of recommendations, to which Minister Kung responded point by point, affirming that the MOEA would work collaboratively with its teams to address them. He further stated that a performance tracking mechanism (KPI) will be established for each item, with a follow-up meeting scheduled in three months to jointly review progress with the associations, ensuring sustained and constructive engagement with industry stakeholders.

Attendees included: Pan Chun-jung, Chairman, and Leua Jang-Hwa, Secretary-General, of the CNFI ; Hsu Shu-po, Chairman, and Liu Shou-jen, Secretary-General, of the ROCCOC ; Wu Thomas T. L., Chairman, and Chiu Yi-Cheh, Acting Secretary-General, of the CNAIC; Lee Yu-chia, Chairman, and Lin Fen-tsen, Secretary-General, of the NASME; Liu Young, Chairman, and Lin Chuan Neng, Secretary-General, of the TEEMA; Hsu Cheng-yun, Chairman, and Hung Ching-shui, Secretary-General, of the MUGA; and Chiu Ming-chien, President, and Hsieh Jung-feng, Secretary-General, of the NiEA.