Kung Ming-hsin promotes economic "Neverland" vision to make Taiwanese firms global leaders

Since President Lai Ching-te took office, Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin has repeatedly emphasized the vision of an "economic never-setting sun country," pointing out that this is not merely a slogan, but rather a strategy centered on Taiwan to connect with global markets, enabling Taiwanese enterprises to maintain competitiveness around the clock. In an interview in Taipei, Kung mentioned that President Lai's policies have shifted from "internationalization" to "globalization," stressing that the goal is not only to push Taiwan toward the world, but also to enable Taiwan to set the rhythm of the global economy. Behind this vision lies a deep restructuring of Taiwan's corporate structure and industrial chains, requiring listed companies to possess cross-border operational capabilities and global deployment strategies.

The core concept of the "economic never-setting sun country" lies in extending Taiwan's industries and markets to 24-hour global operations. Through cross-timezone supply chain coordination, real-time market information exchange, and global customer service, Taiwanese enterprises can maintain high operational efficiency across major time zones, preventing lost business opportunities caused by time differences. This model has already yielded initial results in sectors such as semiconductors, information and communications technology, and green energy. Companies like TSMC and MediaTek have distributed their R&D and manufacturing bases across multiple time zones including the United States, Germany, and Japan, ensuring that production capacity can be rapidly adjusted amidst global demand fluctuations.

Listed companies play a pivotal role in this strategy. Kung pointed out that Taiwan has become a major global high-tech industrial base, and many listed companies possess mature technologies and brand advantages. It is precisely these enterprises that are capable of global deployment, mergers and acquisitions, and cooperation in the international market, thereby further expanding Taiwan's influence on the international stage. The government is also actively promoting the "Taiwan Investment Promotion Program" and the "Transnational Deployment Assistance Program," providing tax incentives, financial support, and international market intelligence to help businesses reduce cross-border risks and enhance competitiveness.

At the practical industrial level, Kung highlighted four key areas: first is semiconductors and chip design, where Taiwan's market share in global wafer foundry exceeds 60 percent; second is information hardware and software, with Taiwan's IC design and cloud services expanding rapidly; third is green energy and electric vehicle components, where Taiwan possesses advanced technologies in photovoltaics and battery materials to meet surging global energy transition demands; and fourth is biotechnology and medical care, where Taiwan has already attained international competitiveness in gene sequencing and medical devices. These industries can not only drive domestic employment but also attract foreign investment, creating a virtuous cycle.

From a macroeconomic perspective, if Taiwan can implement the "never-setting sun" concept among its listed companies, it will generate multiple positive effects. First, sustained global operations will increase Taiwan's foreign exchange earnings and improve the trade balance. Second, cross-border deployment will attract more foreign direct investment, driving industrial upgrading and innovation. Furthermore, the internationalization of enterprises will enhance Taiwan's brand recognition, further opening up emerging markets and reducing reliance on a single market. Finally, in the long run, Taiwan will occupy a more critical role in the global supply chain, truly becoming a representative of the "never-setting sun."

In summary, Kung Ming-hsin's remark that "listed companies can deploy globally and truly make Taiwan an economic never-setting sun country" is not only a policy slogan, but also a practical direction for operations. The government and businesses must work together, through the synergy of capital, technology, and talent, to extend Taiwan's high-tech advantages to global markets, truly establishing Taiwan as a nation where the economic sun never sets.