MOEA Industrial Development Administration Director-General transition, strengthening industry resilience through four key pillars

The Industrial Development Administration(IDA) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs(MOEA) held a Director-General leadership transition ceremony on the 26th of March, with Deputy Minister of MOEA, Cynthia Kiang, overseeing the handover. The position of Director-General of the IDA was passed to Chyou-Huey Chiou, the current Director-General of the Department of Industrial Technology of the MOEA. Director-General Chiou has been involved with the IDA's predecessor, the Industrial Development Bureau, and has participated in numerous major industrial transformations in Taiwan. His experience spans across manufacturing automation, electronics, information services, and key fields such as semiconductors and smart electric vehicles. He is entrusted with the responsibility of advancing Taiwan's industrial development.

Chyou-Huey Chiou, the new Director-General, holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from National Taiwan University. He has held various leadership positions in the IDA of the MOEA, including Director, deputy Director, and secretary-general. Additionally, he served as the Director-General of the Department of Academia-Industry Collaboration and Science Park Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology (now the National Science and Technology Council), and the Director-General of the Department of Industrial Technology of the MOEA. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to promoting industrial upgrading, technological research and development, and international linkages. He has successfully attracted several global tech giants to establish R&D centers in Taiwan, strengthening the local industry supply chain and reinforcing Taiwan's critical role in the global high-tech industry with forward-thinking strategies and integration capabilities.

During the handover ceremony, Director-General Chiou first expressed gratitude for the contributions of his predecessor, Director-General Chih-Ching Yang, and introduced the "Four Pillars" as the guiding principles for the future direction of the IDA, which include:
1. "Implementing the President’s Five Trusted Industry Sector, Health Taiwan, and other related policies": This involves developing AI hardware and software, strengthening the semiconductor industry chain, and advancing the application of drones and robotics to position Taiwan as a key partner in the global democratic tech camp.
2. "Driving Industrial Twin Transformation with AI": The focus will be on promoting AI adoption across various industries, assisting businesses in improving efficiency and reducing costs. Efforts will also be made to nurture and recruit AI talent needed by industries, supporting reaching the goal of net-zero emission and digital transformations.
3. "Supporting the Sustainable Operations of Traditional Industries": By utilizing investment tax credits, the goal is to facilitate the twin transformation of traditional industries and promote cross-sector collaboration between traditional and high-tech industries. This includes developing new technologies, products, materials, and services, helping traditional industries shine on the modern stage while improving their competitiveness and a better global positioning.
4. "Promoting Regional Balance in Taiwan": In line with the President’s vision of " Balanced Development throughout Taiwan", efforts will be made to promote balanced industrial development across the country, strengthen industrial advantages, and amplify clustering potential to enhance local development capacity and resilience.

Director-General Chiou concluded by expressing his aspiration for the IDA to become partner and strongest support for the industry in Taiwan and he looks forward to working with all colleagues to create new opportunities, integrate industry, academia, and international resources, and strive to build an innovative, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive industrial environment.