European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan

Established in 1988, the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT) is a non-profit organisation devoted to representing European business interests in Taiwan. The chamber has expanded over the years to become one of Taiwan's leading business organisations, boasting over 1000 members from a range of sectors including energy, healthcare, and technology. ECCT's primary objective is to foster trade and investment between Europe and Taiwan, to create a platform for networking and business development, and to advocate for regulatory changes and market accessibility for European businesses.

ECCT is committed to endorsing the interests of European enterprises operating in Taiwan. It achieves this through active interaction with government and institutional entities and by offering a platform for networking and business growth opportunities. A detailed and insightful history of ECCT is available, which includes multiple essays outlining the organisation's various stages of growth and the challenges faced at each juncture (Link). The chamber maintains strong engagement with local authorities, having held over 10 government meetings in 2022, and has robust ties with the EU Delegation. To meet its goals, ECCT provides its members with a broad spectrum of services and resources, including market intelligence, business matching, advocacy, and networking events. The chamber collaborates closely with Taiwanese authorities to advocate for a beneficial business climate for European businesses. It engages in policy dialogues aimed at advocating for regulatory amendments and enhanced market accessibility. ECCT's activities contribute to the development of sustainable and responsible business practices in Taiwan, whilst also stimulating regional economic growth and development. In essence, the chamber plays a crucial role in reinforcing the economic ties between Europe and Taiwan and fostering the growth and success of European businesses in East Asia.

To sum up, the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT) is a vital entity for European businesses operating in Taiwan. It serves as a networking and business development platform, provides essential business services and resources, and advocates for regulatory reforms and market access for its members. ECCT's efforts contribute to the evolution and growth of the Taiwanese economy, whilst simultaneously promoting sustainable and responsible business practices.

Publications

Position Papers: Presented each November, one paper per committee, 26 in 2023 (Link). These papers address the concerns of the chamber's member companies with regards to the business environment in Taiwan and provide practical recommendations to the Taiwan government for solving regulatory issues. They also serve to keep the European Commission, European national governments and European companies abroad informed about Taiwan's business environment. The process of compiling and writing the papers is coordinated by committee chairs in conjunction with ECCT staff after extensive consultation with committee members.
EuroView: Flagship magazine since 1988. It provides in-depth articles on economic and business issues relevant to the European business community in Taiwan, and is read by Taiwan's top corporate executives, government officials, European organisations, and institutions both in Asia and Europe. (Link)
Annual sectorial Position Papers: 26 in 2023 (Link)
LCI Reports, focused on climate crisis related issues (Link)
Other Publications (Link)
News

Services

The ECCT (European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan) provides the following services to its members:

Advancing key industry issues by coordinating and issuing position papers, ensuring that the concerns and interests of European businesses are effectively represented.
Fostering dialogue with officials and administrators from all levels of government, institutions, and local business organisations. The ECCT maintains a neutral position, irrespective of political affiliations, to facilitate constructive discussions.
Maintaining close ties with key European institutions, including European trade offices, the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan, and the European Commission in Brussels. This enables effective communication and collaboration on matters of mutual interest.
Promoting open competition, free trade, and international business standards. The ECCT advocates for fair business practices and ethical corporate governance.
Supporting a level playing field for European companies to compete effectively in the Taiwanese market, ensuring equal opportunities for all participants. 112
Ensuring effective communication with members, the media, and the public, disseminating relevant information and updates on important business issues.
Organising events that encourage social interaction and cultural understanding among members and stakeholders, fostering a sense of community.
Encouraging and supporting corporate social responsibility programs and environmentally friendly business practices, promoting sustainable and responsible business conduct.
Event reports

Membership Benefits

Membership benefits (Link)

Networking & Business Opportunities:

29 industry and support committees.
Almost 300 business and social activities annually.
Opportunities to network with peers, exchange views, and stay updated on socio-economic developments in Taiwan and the region.

Advocacy Platform:

Successful track record in promoting European business interests.
Advocacy at all levels of the ROC government.
Addressing issues such as tax reform, labor standards laws, harbor administration, and entry-exit regulations.
Meetings with government officials, NGOs, and the European Commission.
Ensuring improved conditions for European businesses in Taiwan.

Monitoring ROC's commitments to WTO agreements. Information & Communication:

Regular email and telephone contact.
Bi-weekly Newsflash and bi-monthly magazine, EuroView.
Special reports in cooperation with research, financial, and investment corporations.
Keeping members updated on committee activities, events, legislative and economic issues.
Public communication through media organisations.

Social & Community Activities:

Wine-tasting dinners, golf tournaments, and the annual ECCT Gala Ball.
Supporting the community in Taiwan, including the ECCT-ICRT Charity Golf Cup.

Additional Benefit Programme:

Special benefits exclusively for members.
Speedy check-in service at Taoyuan International Airport.
Exclusive offers such as seasonal airline fares through member services

Advocacy

A page with news focused on all the advocacy activities pursued by the ECCT (Link).

Committees: 28 (Link)

Agro-Chemical
Asset Management
Banking
Better Living
Beverage Alcohol
Central Taiwan 111
Cosmetics
Education
Electrical Engineering & Equipment
Energy & Environment
Healthcare Sustainability
Human Resources
Insurance
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Luxury Goods
Marketing Club
Medical Device
Mobility
Pharmaceutical
Project & Procurement
Retail & Distribution
Southern Taiwan
Supply Chain
Sustainability and Community Engagement (SCE)
Tax
Technology
Telecom, Media & Content
Travel & Tourism
Wind Energy

Special committees:

FFA (Family Friendly Alliance) A special committee to combat low birth rates and ageing population (Link).
LCI (Low Carbon Initiative) A special committee to promote climate friendly, sustainable development (Link).