TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President-elect Lai Ching-te announced Tuesday (April 2) plans to initiate industry exchange trips and hold discussions with the machine tool manufacturing industry during the government transition period after the May 20 inauguration.
Lai emphasized that defense and economy are the two main pillars supporting Taiwan, with the machine tools and machinery industries playing a crucial role in Taiwan's economic development.
He pledged to collaborate with the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and other relevant departments to continue promoting Taiwan's industrial development after taking office.
Before assuming office, Lai aims to grasp various affairs, including defense, national security, diplomacy, and cross-strait relations, while also engaging in discussions with major Taiwanese industries to understand their perspectives. He has already visited the semiconductor, ICT, drone industries and new industries such as cybersecurity and tourism.
Despite a 15% decrease in exports in 2023, bringing the total to nearly US$29.5 billion, Taiwan's machinery industry has seen positive growth since January this year. Lai likened the machinery and machine tool industries to the human skeleton, describing them as the backbone of Taiwan's economic development.
Lai also visited the Advanced Composite Center of the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) on Tuesday, and inspected the advanced jet trainer production line to understand AIDC's involvement in the domestic manufacturing process of the machines.