Premier Sean Chen thanked small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for their contributions to Taiwan's economy at the Membership Assembly of National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) on July 17, calling SMEs a pillar of the nation because they create so many employment opportunities and help drive economic development.
Chen also urged Taiwanese SMEs to follow the example of their German counterparts and develop into the nation's "backbone" enterprises. He defined such firms as "businesses that have surpassed the norm for SMEs, have yet to go public or be traded on the over-the-counter stock market, and are equipped with the abilities to innovate, to develop high technologies and to compete globally."
The premier said he has been very attentive of SMEs since serving as lending division chief at a bank many years ago. Since becoming premier this past February, he has not only visited SMEs often but has also spoken with the Ministry of Economic Affairs about offering SMEs guidance and assistance on product design, packaging and marketing.
Chen noted his predecessor, Wu Den-yih, increased the SME Credit Guarantee Fund by NT$2 billion (US$67 million), as part of government effort to aid SMEs and create more job opportunities.
The premier also presented the 4th National SME Foundation Awards, held concurrently with the NASME assembly, to five recipients. They are former Minister of Finance Lee Sush-der, former Chairman of Taiwan Business Bank Peter Lo, Chairman of China Productivity Center Rock Hsu, Chairman of Corporate Synergy Development Center Ku Chia-hung and Chief Executive Officer of Business Weekly Wenny Wang.