The New Taipei business delegation sets off once again, heading to Europe in pursuit of new business opportunities. Led by Deputy Mayor Chen Chun-Ching, the delegation comprises 20 outstanding enterprises from New Taipei City. From March 27 to April 10, they will visit Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland to promote business, pursue international orders, and deepen industrial cooperation with local partners.

The first stop of the trip took place yesterday (March 28), with a visit to the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEİK). Building upon the results of last year’s business matchmaking meetings, the delegation aims to reinforce bilateral cooperation in the fields of smart cities and technology industries, as well as to promote economic and trade exchanges. This visit also signifies the transition of Taiwan-Turkey collaboration from a business-to-business (B2B) model to a government-to-business (G2B) approach. Both sides plan to enhance international competitiveness in the smart technology sector through technological exchange, supply chain integration, and market expansion.

Deputy Mayor Chen stated that Turkey possesses substantial market potential, particularly given the country’s recent rapid development in infrastructure and the automotive industry. This has driven a growing demand for machinery, equipment, and electronic components. In 2023, bilateral trade between Taiwan and Turkey reached approximately USD 2 billion, with Taiwan’s exports accounting for over USD 1.5 billion. These exports included electronic components, machinery, and smart manufacturing technologies—demonstrating the strong prospects for industrial cooperation. As a key hub of Taiwan’s tech industry, New Taipei boasts a comprehensive smart technology supply chain that aligns well with Turkey’s current initiatives in AIoT, digital governance, and smart transportation. This visit is expected to generate collaboration opportunities in electronic technology, smart security, digital infrastructure, and the Internet of Things (IoT), helping both sides jointly explore international markets.

DEİK highlighted that Turkey’s economy remains stable, with its free trade zones encompassing a market of over 1 billion people. Its strategic geographic location and highly skilled workforce make Turkey an attractive investment destination. Moreover, Turkey is actively promoting the industrial digital transformation of 15 cities, with investments totaling around USD 500 million last year. Given these advantages, Turkey presents a promising environment for New Taipei businesses to invest and grow. DEİK Chairman Necmettin Uzun emphasized that enhancing Taiwan-Turkey trade relations would benefit both economies. DEİK is eager to assist New Taipei companies in entering the Turkish market and will also encourage Turkish enterprises to invest in New Taipei.

Director-General of New Taipei’s Economic Development Department, Sheng Hsiao-Jung, noted that this return visit to DEİK focused on key areas including smart security, digital infrastructure, and Industry 4.0 applications. The delegation engaged in in-depth exchanges with local smart technology companies to explore the application of AIoT technologies for improving urban management, enhancing intelligent surveillance, and optimizing smart transportation systems. Discussions also centered on promoting bilateral cooperation in smart manufacturing and digital transformation. Furthermore, Turkish companies were invited to participate in New Taipei’s “International Procurement Meeting” scheduled for September, aiming to enhance supply chain integration and expand economic and investment opportunities between both sides.

The department added that since the launch of New Taipei’s Export Promotion Program in 2013, the city has successfully helped 305 enterprises expand into 19 countries. More than 7,660 matchmaking events have been organized, generating nearly NT$10 billion in export value. Many participating companies have praised the city’s meticulous support and thoughtful planning. For instance, Shin Chen Industrial, a member of last year’s trade mission, remarked: “The proactive assistance from the New Taipei City Government serves as a strong pillar for enterprises. With the government’s matchmaking support, companies can efficiently connect with real buyers, significantly boosting their success in overseas markets.”

The Economic Development Department emphasized that, in addition to Turkey, the delegation will also visit Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland during this European mission. Germany remains a global industrial manufacturing powerhouse, the Netherlands is a high-tech manufacturing hub, and Poland represents an emerging market in Eastern Europe. Tailored visits and exchanges have been arranged to foster in-depth collaboration between New Taipei enterprises and local industry chains, laying the groundwork for a robust international market presence. Moving forward, the city government will continue to support businesses through international exhibitions, economic forums, and business matchmaking events, actively assisting in global market expansion and enhancing the international competitiveness of New Taipei’s industries—working together to create greater international trade opportunities.