New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih recently led a city delegation on a European tour to promote industrial internationalization and strengthen global partnerships. Following visits with Philips in the Netherlands and Advantech, the team traveled to the Czech Republic to meet with Sun Tai Industrial and the startup Grenade Castle. The focus was on fostering innovation and collaboration within the supply chain, showcasing New Taipei City’s commitment to connecting with international resources and building a stronger industrial ecosystem.
Mayor Hou emphasized New Taipei City’s status as Taiwan’s largest municipality, home to over 4 million residents and more than 300,000 businesses. The city serves as Taiwan’s most comprehensive manufacturing hub. In recent years, the municipal government has actively promoted key industries like smart manufacturing, green energy, and medical technology. Through strategic policies and resource integration, the city supports local enterprises in expanding into international markets. This European trip was not only about meeting with major international corporations but also about supporting local Taiwanese businesses abroad and seeking new opportunities for collaboration within the European market.

The Mayor highlighted the Czech Republic’s strategic location at the heart of Europe, bordered by Germany, Austria, and Poland, making it a crucial hub in the European supply chain. Sun Tai Industrial, a company with over 60 years of history in New Taipei City’s Xinzhuang District, is about to complete a new factory in the Czech Republic. This expansion will not only shorten supply chain timelines and accelerate delivery but also demonstrates the global vision and strength of New Taipei City’s traditional industries, making it a model for traditional manufacturing’s internationalization.

Grenade Castle represents the innovative spirit of Taiwanese startups. Founded by young Taiwanese entrepreneurs in Prague, the company began with graphic design and has since expanded its services to include UX/UI design, website, and application development. The firm serves diverse fields, including e-health, education, culture, and creative industries, showcasing the innovative energy of a new generation of Taiwanese people establishing businesses in Europe.

According to the New Taipei City government, these visits provided valuable insights into the city’s diverse industrial landscape. Advantech represents technology, highlighting Taiwan’s critical role in the global industrial chain. Sun Tai Industrial symbolizes traditional manufacturing, with its new Czech factory demonstrating how legacy industries can internationalize and upgrade their brands. Grenade Castle embodies startups, showcasing the innovative drive of young Taiwanese entrepreneurs in Europe. The three companies together represent the key pillars of “technology, traditional industry, and startups,” illustrating the multifaceted development of New Taipei City’s industries on the international stage.

The city government also stated that the Czech Republic is an important base for Taiwanese businesses. The city is committed to working with overseas Taiwanese businesses and continuing to connect with international resources. Through exhibition subsidies, international business-matching events, and cross-border industry exchanges, the city aims to help enterprises reduce costs and expand their global footprint, ultimately positioning New Taipei City as a key node in the global supply chain.