Staff writer, with CNA
The European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT) released its annual position papers on Thursday, in which it proposed recommendations mainly in the areas of energy, talent and internationalization to help boost the nation’s business environment.
ECCT chairman Giuseppe Izzo said this year’s report, titled Setting a Course for Economic Revival, included submissions from 25 ECCT committees and raised 175 issues, including 67 not previously included.
“Taiwan’s economy is facing headwinds and choppy seas and the outlook for 2024 is uncertain,” Izzo said, stressing that due to uncertainties Taiwan needs to chart a clear course to help it “avoid the worst conditions that are beyond its control” through removing regulatory constraints, revising unsuitable laws and regulations and streamlining administrative procedures.
Photo: CNA
Energy, talent and internationalization are the three main issues raised in the paper, the chamber said.
Izzo called for the “prioritization of renewable energy capacity expansion,” especially in the field of offshore wind power, saying official targets have not been met due to “local content requirements, regulatory red tape and difficulties in financing.”
The chamber recommends revising rules to spur local supply chain competitiveness, streamlining the permit process and liberalizing the energy market, he said.
Regarding energy, the ECCT called on the government to support the country’s transition to transport powered by electricity, particularly by removing regulations that are slowing the installation of charging infrastructure.
Regarding expanding Taiwan’s talent pool, Izzo said Taiwan continues to face shortages of skilled and semi-skilled domestic and foreign workers due to shifting demographics, and overly restrictive labor laws and visa and work permit rules.
Family-friendly policies, for example, should be further promoted, the chamber said.
“Offering young parents more flexible options for remote work, allowing employees to choose to work from home rather than taking unpaid parental leave, and building or subsidizing the building of more childcare facilities” are some of the policy changes that could be made to improve the situation, it said.
Regarding internationalization, the chamber raised the issues of adopting international standards, enhancing digitization and promoting bilingualism.
Given that policy, laws, regulations and other public announcements are mainly bilingual, the ECCT said that the government should now pay attention to the lack of English proficiency in those working in government ministries.
A chamber education committee representative called for English proficiency as a criterion for promotion and for the inclusion of more new bilingual residents.
The ECCT publishes a series of position papers annually, which address chamber member companies’ concerns regarding Taiwan’s business environment and provide practical recommendations for solving regulatory issues, the organization’s Web site says.
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