President outlines national tech plans
Taiwan President William Lai announced plans to position the country as 'Asia’s NASDAQ' by adopting flexible stock listing rules to attract tech investment, leveraging its dominant AI supply chain and semiconductor industry. Lai also emphasized strengthening ties with the U.S., referencing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) founder Morris Chang’s autobiography to address U.S. concerns about industrial cooperation, while ensuring stable electricity supply for AI-driven growth.
Taiwan President William Lai outlined a strategy to transform the country into a global technology investment hub, dubbed 'Asia’s NASDAQ,' during an interview with Taiwan Television Enterprise and Unique Satellite TV. Lai highlighted Taiwan’s leading role in the AI supply chain, calling it the world’s most comprehensive ecosystem, and stressed the need for flexible stock market rules to support innovation. Over the past year, authorities have relaxed 52 regulations, including expanding investor eligibility and enabling margin trading, to align with global trends. The government aims to boost capital markets and small to medium-sized enterprises by fostering an environment where startups can easily raise funds and collaborate within Taiwan’s tech ecosystem. Lai noted Taiwan’s fifth-place ranking by market capitalization and strong liquidity, positioning it ahead of competitors like South Korea, Japan, and China in attracting tech investment. On U.S.-Taiwan relations, Lai addressed U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that Taiwan ‘stole’ the U.S. chip industry by suggesting Trump read Morris Chang’s autobiography, which details Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s (TSMC) origins. Lai framed the book as a tool to improve mutual understanding and cooperation, particularly as the U.S. pushes for semiconductor and AI investments. To support AI-driven growth, Lai emphasized the critical link between electricity and computing power, citing Taiwan Power Co’s (Taipower) forecast reserve margin exceeding 20 percent—well above the 10 percent threshold—indicating stable supply. He welcomed Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and others to invest in Taiwan’s tech future, underscoring the government’s commitment to meeting energy demands for high-tech industries.
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