April 19, 2017
No.050
The Honorable Jos Lantmeeters, president of the Flemish Parliament of Belgium’s Committee on Economy, Work, Social Economy, Innovation and Scientific Policy, is leading a delegation to Taiwan from April 19 to 25 at the invitation of the government of the Republic of China.
The purpose of the visit is to allow the members of the delegation to deepen their understanding of Taiwan’s political and economic development, cross-strait relations, and scientific research and innovation, as well as the country’s labor environment and related policy.
The delegation will call on Legislative Speaker Su Jia-chyuan and pay a visit to the National Development Council, the Mainland Affairs Council, the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as participate in an innovation and research forum held by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and attend a luncheon hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The delegation will also visit a number of NGOs and sites of economic and cultural interest such as the National Palace Museum, Taipei 101, Hsinchu Science Park, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Business Council for Sustainable Development of Taiwan, and Taiwan Circular Economy Network.
In addition to President Lantmeeters, the delegation includes 12 other members of the Committee on Economic Affairs, Employment, Social Economy, Innovation and Science Policy, and one administrative staffer.
Belgium’s Flemish government has long maintained good relations with Taiwan. The industrial structure of the region, focused as it is on small- and medium-sized enterprises, is similar to that of Taiwan, and the Flemish government has actively promoted industrial transformation and encouraged research and innovation. The visit will advance the delegation’s understanding of current political and economic developments underway in Taiwan, and promote further cooperation and exchange between Taiwan and the Flemish Region of Belgium. (E)