𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐀𝐃𝐁 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐊𝐚𝐨𝐡𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐧𝐠’𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦

Representatives from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) visited Kaohsiung on March 10–11 to explore the city’s rapid rise as a semiconductor hub and discuss opportunities for inclusive regional industrial development.

The delegation included Mr. Sun Young Jin, Director’s Advisor representing the ADB Board constituency of the Republic of Korea, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Taipei,China, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam, and Ms. Hsu-Juan “Jasmine” Hou, ADB Public Sector Specialist (Taxation).

The visit was co-hosted by the Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association and the Linhai Industrial Park Manufacturers Association under the leadership of President Peter Lai. The welcome dinner on March 10 gathered more than 30 industry leaders, academics, and government representatives to discuss strengthening regional supply chains and promoting inclusive economic growth. On March 11, Dr. Eing-Ming Wu, President of Edu-Connect, briefed the delegation on Kaohsiung’s strategic role in the semiconductor industry, highlighted by the development of the TSMC fab in Nanzih District.

Dr. Wu emphasized that infrastructure growth must be supported by high-value talent development, noting the Philippines as a key partner in addressing workforce needs. He also highlighted the expansion of leading universities, including National Tsing Hua University and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, to build a sustainable talent pipeline.

In Dr. Wu’s concluding remarks, he accentuated that the visit underscored the importance of regional collaboration, with the Asian Development Bank playing a key role in supporting inclusive, cross-border technological and economic development.