345. We would like to congratulate you for being elected to chair this important Council. We wish you a wise guidance, and our delegation would like to contribute to constructive discussions.
346. According to the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2022 released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu ranked 7th in overall competitiveness out of 63 evaluated economies. We held the 1st position for total R&D personnel per capita and the 3rd position in terms of total expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP. With over 50% of our manufactured exports being high-tech products, we were ranked the 3rd in High-tech exports. The Global Innovation Index published by WIPO also highlighted our strength in innovation and research – in the global ranking of the top 100 S&T clusters with the highest concentration of inventors and scientific authors, the "Taipei-Hsinchu" cluster was ranked 26th position, demonstrating our significant strength in innovation and research, showcasing our robust capabilities in the field of research and development.
347. It is undeniable that innovation and R&D have a significant impact on economic growth and productivity. In recent years, the manufacturing industry has emerged as a primary driving force behind our economic growth. Particularly, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry, which holds the highest share of our manufactured exports, has significantly enhanced industry value through innovative applications. In response to the restructuring of the global supply chain in the post-pandemic era, the government has adapted its approach and implemented the "Six Core Strategic Industries Promotion Plan" since 2020, building upon the previous foundation of the "5+2 Innovative Industries Plan." The above-mentioned industries include information and digital industries, cybersecurity industries, precision health industries, green and renewable energy industries, national defense and strategic industries, and strategic stockpile industries. The implementation of the Plan is spearheaded by 18 government agencies, including the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
348. Our cross-border collaboration in technology R&D involves a diverse range of partnerships between the public and private sectors. These partnerships include research teams composed of government-funded entities, academia, and industry players. The Ministry of Economic Affairs serves a pivotal role as a government agency, leading initiatives that promote international cooperation programmes. These programmes aim to attract international research expertise, establish beneficial relationships with multinational corporations that will boost research investments in our land, and position us as an attractive partner for research, innovation, collaborative production, and value creation.
349. Taking our thriving ICT industry as an example, the government has taken concrete steps to support its growth, such as providing subsidies for collaborations between international industry giants and domestic supply chains, specifically in the areas of semiconductor equipment and materials, next-generation communications, and AI. Additionally, the government actively engages in international standardization efforts and technical cooperation to ensure alignment with global advancements in 5G technology. Strategic partnerships with leading international Electronic Design Automation (EDA) companies have also been established to encourage research and development investments in our land.
350. With the rapid advancement of digital tools and technology, we have achieved fruitful research collaborations with major global economies. An excellent instance of cooperation between us and Europe is a joint effort initiated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Acknowledging the EU's pioneering role in advanced technologies and their implementation in the communication industry and the synergies between our semiconductor and ICT supply chains, we have been actively engaged in the EU's "Horizon 2020" programme since 2016 under the "Targeted Opening Call" initiative. Our proposals were given due recognition and approval by the European Union (EU), paving the way for cooperative ventures with European firms in the research and development of 5G technology. To date, we have successfully completed two phases of cooperation, with a combined investment of EUR 18 million. The partnership between us and Europe provides valuable prospects for our domestic companies to expand their market presence and pursue new avenues of growth. Moving forward, we remain committed to deepening our collaboration with the EU, particularly in the fields of communication technology and more, within the framework of the new "Horizon Europe" programme.
351. The Ministry of Economic Affairs states that results yielded through R&D efforts, including their corresponding intellectual property rights, belong to the implementing unit, with exceptions made for cases related to national security, according to the Government Scientific and Technological Research and Development Results Ownership and Utilization Regulation. In instances of international cooperation, ownership of research and development results will be determined by the terms outlined in international cooperation contracts.
352. Collaboration on scientific research across borders is a mutually beneficial endeavor, and we recognize the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights resulting from such collaborations. As technology and industry demands continue to evolve, we have taken proactive measures to enhance IPR protection, with the ultimate goal of creating an environment that appeals to multinational corporations for collaborative research and investment. We would greatly appreciate hearing from all Members about their international collaboration policies and experiences.
