From 9-10 April 2018, Minister for Investment at the UK’s Department for International Trade Mr Graham Stuart visited Taiwan and met with President Tsai Ing-wen. They discussed the substantial bilateral progress and collaboration achieved in the sectors of green energy, finance, and agriculture. President Tsai stated that based on this strong cooperation, the two sides will continue to deepen ties. She also stressed that as the UK prepares to depart from the EU, there will be more opportunities to upgrade the bilateral relationship. For instance, several British enterprises have expressed interest in expanding trade and investment in many of the sectors covered by Taiwan’s ‘Five-Plus-Two Innovative Industries Initiative’, she added.
Following his meeting with President Tsai, Mr Stuart and Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs Shen Jong-Chin concluded the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the British Office Taipei and the Taiwan Offshore Wind Turbine Foundation and Marine Engineering Association, marking further bilateral cooperation in the offshore wind power and marine engineering sectors. On 10 April, Mr Stuart visited Taoyuan County-based vertical farm YesHealth iFarm accompanied by County Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan. The UK Minister announced YesHealth iFarm’s £18 million investment in the UK, as the Taiwanese company is set to establish its European headquarters in York.
