To become a truly internationalized cluster of entrepreneurship and to create an energetic "entrepreneurial ecosystem," Taiwan should relax business regulations unfriendly to startups and invite more foreign teams to brainstorm creative ideas with local young people, Premier Jiang Yi-huah told young entrepreneurs at a symposium today.
The premier's talk with young businesspeople is part of a series of symposiums inspired by the popular TEDx events for idea sharing, said Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun. The "Premier x Young Entrepreneurs" series was launched in April with Premier Jiang visiting young business owners across Taiwan, listening to their stories and hearing suggestions for the government. The two previous talks were held mainly for young people starting online businesses, Sun said, while today's event targeted those in the cultural and creative industry. Other symposiums coming soon will include "Premier x Agricultural Entrepreneurs" and "Premier x Social Entrepreneurs."
Today, three entrepreneurs shared their observations on challenges facing Taiwan's industries and how leading countries deal with similar conditions. Designer Alice Wang offered suggestions for the development of Taiwan's design industry. Brian Yang, an executive at Grimm Press U.K. operations, shared on Great Britain's policy on the cultural and creative industry. Uly Su, co-owner and CEO of Trans-trans Brand Development, elaborated the promotional strategies and dilemmas of Taiwanese design products in the international market. This was followed by an open session where other participants shared freely from their own experiences in such fields as online media, industrial design, digital reading, animation and audiovisual productions.
Wang candidly pointed out that Taiwan's design education system is severely lacking in qualified teachers, facilities and appropriate curriculum. And the current government tender system is set up in a way that frequently awards public design projects to substandard contractors, who produce neither aesthetic nor pragmatic designs. Regarding business incubation centers at colleges and universities, Wang suggested that these ineffectively operated centers might be put to better use if turned over to industries.
After hearing these recommendations, Premier Jiang said he would instruct the Ministry of Finance's National Property Administration to take inventory of unused spaces, renovate public buildings suitable for business incubation, and lease them to young entrepreneurs at low prices.
Yang suggested that the government differentiate between pure art and commercial art so that creative industries can receive the appropriate development assistance they need. The government should also use public procurement as a tool for commercializing art while encouraging contractors to systematically cultivate talent.
In response, the premier asked the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and the Ministry of Culture to find out and understand the differences in perception between young entrepreneurs and the government. Jiang also agreed heartily with the idea of a new or improved talent cultivation system and suggested allowing private companies or associations to organize professional training courses to make up for shortcomings in the government's training system.
To promote real change, Premier Jiang demanded that all related ministries respond within one month to the problems and obstacles mentioned by today's participants. Concrete evaluations and resolution measures must also be provided as quickly as possible.
The Executive Yuan said recommendations made by young businesspeople at the two earlier symposiums include introducing overseas startup capital and assistance resources, attracting foreign professionals to Taiwan, increasing collaboration between academic and industrial sectors, and amending entrepreneurship laws and regulations.
To attract foreign talent, the government on July 1 this year relaxed the criteria for international students in Taiwan applying for work. It also plans to ease restrictions on hiring foreign nationals for companies that meet the innovation and entrepreneurship requirements under the National Development Council's (NDC) HeadStart Taiwan program. The premier additionally directed Minister without Portfolio Feng Yen to work with the NDC through the MOEA's YES Taiwan program to establish a law and regulation adjustment platform, and to monitor progress on resolving young entrepreneurs' problems.
Aside from policy suggestions, these young people have also come up with some rather surprising ideas, Sun noted. For instance in the previous session, one suggested changing the government's key performance indicators to reflect "awesomeness" rather than hard cold figures, dollar amounts, or number of instances. This would give people a more intuitive feel for the policy's results and ease the administrative burden on business owners applying for government resources. The idea struck a deep chord with other attendants at the symposium.
The Executive Yuan hopes that this series of cross-generational talks between the premier and young entrepreneurs will inject fresh thinking and new ideas into Taiwan's startup environment.