A gaggle of dignitaries from Taiwan visited Phoenix on Monday to see firsthand how companies from their nation are finding to Arizona to realize a foothold within the U.S. market.
The group, led by Han Kuo-yu, president of the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan’s parliament, noticed a showcase of a number of Taiwanese well being care companies at Arizona State University’s 850 PBC building in downtown Phoenix earlier than shifting on to see the large TSMC development in North Phoenix.
“Before we came, we didn’t know why TSMC chose Arizona, and why not Hawaii?” Han stated to a roomful of laughter.
“After we arrived yesterday, we finally understand the reasons why. Arizona has huge land, sufficient water and electricity, and also collaboration between the university, government, academia and industry.”
Han, whose place is roughly equal to the Speaker of the House within the U.S., introduced a delegation of about two dozen legislators, officers and journalists from Taiwan.
At 850 PBC, the group visited the Taiwan AI Smart Health Showcase Center, launched final fall with 12 Taiwan-based companies as a strategy to speed up well being care and biomedical collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan.
The showcase is an element of an settlement signed final yr by ASU, the Arizona Commerce Authority, the town of Phoenix and the Taiwan Digital Health Industry Development Association to advertise Taiwanese companies within the U.S. and international markets with Arizona as a hub.
ASU is partnering with semiconductor big TSMC on a number of initiatives, together with analysis and workforce improvement.
Arizona and Taiwan have had a decades-long relationship, stated Kesha Hodge Washington, vice mayor of the town of Phoenix, in remarks to the guests.
“While much of our recent collaboration has focused on semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, especially TSMC, we see tremendous opportunity to deepen our relationship in bioscience, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and health care innovation,” she stated.
“What excites us most is that our path, our partnership, is built on more than economics. It is built on shared values, investing in talent, supporting scientific discovery and improving quality of life for future generations. We welcome Taiwan’s bioscience and pharmaceutical leaders to explore Phoenix as a gateway to the U.S. market and as a long-term partner in innovation.”
Sherine Gabriel, govt vice chairman of ASU Health, instructed the group that ASU Health is a pan-university effort that connects throughout the college slightly than inside a single college or self-discipline
“We believe that improving health outcomes requires a coordinated effort across multiple disciplines, institutions and sectors, powered by innovation, together with our strategic partners, and guided by a singular goal: improving health,” she stated.
“The work represented by this visit — and by the Taiwan AI Smart Health Showcase Center — reflects the kind of collaboration needed to address complex health challenges and advance new solutions.”
Agnese Sturmane, vice chairman for worldwide commerce and funding at the Arizona Commerce Authority, famous that Taiwan is now Arizona’s second-largest buying and selling associate, with $21 billion in whole commerce that’s increasing into well being care, AI and analysis.
“This Taiwan AI Smart Health Showcase Center is a shining example. It demonstrates how our combined strength, Taiwan’s world-class innovation ecosystem and Arizona’s leading research universities, clinical networks and entrepreneurial environment can accelerate breakthroughs in smart diagnostics, patient-centered care and collaborative clinical trials,” she stated.
“We’re committed to making Arizona a place where these companies can thrive.”
Han, who spoke via an interpreter, stated he believes extra Taiwanese companies will find in Phoenix.
“After we return to Taiwan, we’ll have more Taiwanese know ‘why Arizona?’”