TAIPEI, Aug. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) and Startup Island Taiwan have embarked on an exciting new chapter of collaboration, solidifying their commitment to fostering innovation and investment in Taiwan's startup ecosystem. The two organizations, with unwavering support from the National Development Council (NDC) of Taiwan, came together in a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony held on Thursday.

This landmark event, graced by the presence of distinguished guests including U.S. Senator Mark Kelly and NDC Minister Kung Ming-Hsin, marks a momentous stride toward strengthening the ties between Arizona and Taiwan. The MOU reflects a shared vision to nurture the burgeoning startup communities in both regions and propel targeted emerging industries to new heights of success.

The MOU paves the way for Taiwanese startups to embrace internationalization and engage in deeper technological collaboration across key emerging sectors. Notably, areas such as cybersecurity, green energy technology, 5G, information and communications technology (ICT), semiconductor life science and healthcare, aerospace, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, and e-mobility are poised to witness remarkable advancements through this alliance.

Taiwan's National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-Hsin unveiled the pivotal importance of a bilateral alliance to fortify US-Taiwan relations in his inaugural address. He lauded Senator Mark Kelly's exceptional feats, underscoring his astronomical accomplishments clocking 54 days, 2 hours, and 4 minutes in space. Minister Kung's address to Senator Kelly carried a heartfelt note: "Senator Kelly, today, you're not just an American hero, you're our hero, too," acknowledging his efforts in facilitating Taiwanese semiconductor companies' entry into Arizona. The Minister also highlighted Taiwan's flourishing startup ecosystem, citing its burgeoning landscape of over 7,000 startups and 90 accelerators as a testament to the government's relentless support. With this MOU signing, Minister Kung looks forward to fostering an ongoing dialogue between the collaborating parties, creating fertile ground for robust business partnerships to thrive.

U.S. Senator Mark Kelly emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, "The United States and Taiwan have many shared values and a deep, mutually beneficial economic relationship. This agreement builds on that by creating a pathway to foster even more collaboration and drive investment into critical industries in both Arizona and Taiwan." Since taking office, Senator Kelly has championed bipartisan agreements to establish a strong semiconductor supply chain. His collaborative approach extends to Taiwanese suppliers, highlighting his dedication to global partnerships. Through initiatives such as the CHIPS and Science Act, Senator Kelly aims to leverage Phoenix's tech talent, driving the acceleration of this crucial process.

Mr. Chris Camacho, President & CEO of GPEC, remarked, "This partnership will open new doors for Taiwanese and American entrepreneurs and existing companies seeking expansion. A stronger relationship will invigorate both Taiwan and Arizona economies as we welcome the exchange of innovation, creativity, and diversity."

Key objectives of the MOU encompass the exchange of crucial industry insights, facilitating joint business missions, and promoting soft landing opportunities for Taiwanese startups in Greater Phoenix programs, including the esteemed Global Growth Accelerator. This multifaceted collaboration is poised to further elevate both regions on the global innovation map.

The GPEC and Startup Island Taiwan MOU represents a transformative leap into a future of innovation, entrepreneurship, and mutually beneficial collaboration. Together, these two regions are poised to redefine the boundaries of innovation and create a thriving ecosystem that fosters growth, creativity, and prosperity. The signing software used was DottedSign, an e-signature solution developed by Kdan Mobile. It is adopted by more than 3,500 enterprises worldwide and offers SaaS, API, and customized plans to meet the diverse needs of enterprises, empowering their efficiency and moving towards sustainability.