President Tsai Ing-wen on Feb. 21 met with the winners of the 2019 Symbol of National Quality Biotechnology Award and said that the sector is an instrumental component of the government’s five plus two innovative industries plan. In the past three years, the government has strived to build Taiwan into a major Asia-Pacific biotechnology center. Currently, specialty biotechnology hubs have been established in Taipei, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung to speed up innovation.

President Tsai said that digital health care is one of the government’s development priorities. The application of artificial intelligence and data analytics to biobanks, as well as establishing effective interconnectivity among databases, is helpful in furthering the development of precision medicine.

Taiwan’s capability and soft power in biotechnology is recognized by the world, President Tsai said. “We believe that biotechnology is Taiwan’s next trillion-dollar industry and capable of bringing great contributions to the world.”

President Tsai said that the government will continue to push for the development of the biotechnology sector and strengthen research, diagnostic, development of a diverse range of new drugs as well as improving overall precision to elevate the value of Taiwan’s biotechnology sector. These efforts will not only help Taiwan improve its health care standards but also further bolster Taiwan’s ability to help the global community.

President Tsai also expressed hopes that Taiwan’s medical and biotechnology community will commit to deeper collaboration with the government and aid Taiwan’s bid to clinch more business opportunities and expand global partnership network.

[2020-02-21 / United Daily News]