Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Hwang Jung-chiou (黃重球) said yesterday that he hopes Taiwan and China will strengthen cooperation in the development of the biotechnology and medical device industries, as both sectors are booming globally and have great potential for growth.
Hwang made the comments during the opening ceremony for a two-day cross-strait biotech and medical device cooperation and exchange seminar held by Taiwan’s Development Center for Biotechnology (DCB) and China’s Cross-Straits Medicine Association (CSMA).
COMPLEMENTARY
Hwang said the two sides of the Taiwan Strait complement each other in both areas.
Taiwan has top-notch biotech research, high-quality medical services and a long history in industrial development, while China possesses a huge market, plentiful resources and a fast-growing economy, he said.
In December 2008, the Ministry of Economic Affairs set up a taskforce to encourage cross-strait co-development of herbal medicines.
SPRINGBOARD
Hwang said the ministry’s task force had served as an important springboard for both sides in developing a biotech industry and expressed hope that the pace of cooperation could be accelerated.
He Luli (何魯麗), honorary chairperson of CSMA, said she wants to see more biotech exchanges between Taiwan and China and hopes such cooperation will make a contribution to the health of people on both sides of the Strait.
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