MOEA officials and ASOA representatives give the thumbs-up at the biotechnology and medical care forum July 26 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of MOEA)

The Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Taipei City-based American State Offices Association jointly organized a biotechnology and medical care forum July 26 in Taipei City to explore future cooperation opportunities between Taiwan and the U.S.

During her opening remarks at the event, SMESA Deputy Director-general Lin Bi-yu said Taiwan and the U.S. share close and complementary trade ties, in that Taiwan boasts a complete information and communication technology supply chain and clinical medicine prowess, while the U.S. is a global leader in biomedical technologies.

Expanding cooperation between the two partners will guarantee development of the most advanced health-related sectors, she said, adding that the event would help SMEs from both sides to extend their reach and tap into future business opportunities.

According to the SMESA, during the event, held on the sidelines of BIO Asia-Taiwan, representatives from the six U.S. states of Idaho, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wyoming brought participants up to speed on their respective regulations and available resources for firms seeking business opportunities in their states, while ASOA President Felix Yen hosted a match-making session.

Jointly organized by the Washington D.C.-headquartered Biotechnology Innovation Organization and Taipei-based Taiwan Bio Industry Organization, the 2024 BIO Asia-Taiwan exhibition wrapped up July 29 in Taipei, where around 900 flagship companies from 20 countries showcased their latest offerings at 2,200 booths for biomedical industry professionals hailing from around the world.

A highlight of the exhibition was the agricultural technology pavilion set up by the Ministry of Agriculture to demonstrate the achievements of various government-sponsored projects and service platforms. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim also visited the pavilion, the MOA said. (SFC-E)