Arizona is hosting a delegation of 30 Taiwanese investors and higher education leaders from April 13-17, representing industries such as semiconductors, medical biotechnology, aerospace, and artificial intelligence. The visit aims to strengthen economic and international relations between Arizona and Taiwan through meetings in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, and Flagstaff.
The event underscores the growing partnership between Arizona and Taiwan at a time when both regions are expanding their high-tech sectors. As part of this effort, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sustainable Impact Capital (SIC), a Taiwan-based investor network focused on artificial intelligence startups. The MOU seeks to establish Arizona as a U.S. hub for Taiwanese startups entering the American market.
Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the ACA, said: “Taiwan is one of Arizona’s most important international partners, and we are proud to further strengthen our long‑standing relationship through this new partnership and delegation visit. Our increased connectedness is accelerating innovation, strengthening our workforce, and opening new doors for high‑tech growth – creating opportunities that will shape the future.”
Dr. Konrad Young from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology said: “It is a profound honor to serve as the honorary lead delegate for this distinguished team of Taiwanese business leaders and scholars… I am confident that this visit will further strengthen the collaboration between Arizona and Taiwan, paving the way for a prosperous shared future.” Amos Huang from SIC added: “For Taiwanese startups to achieve breakthroughs in the international market… The collaboration with the ACA enables SIC to provide Taiwanese angel investors and startup founders with a replicable entry mechanism into the North American market, backed by a government agency.”
The MOU outlines initiatives such as joint cross-border investment in manufacturing and research sectors; advancing research partnerships with universities; talent exchange programs; support for integrating corporate leaders into local ecosystems; as well as promoting Arizona for U.S. market validation among Taiwanese enterprises.
Recent collaborations include MOUs involving semiconductor supply chains between Arizona, Taiwan, Japan; agreements between Southern Arizona/Southern Taiwan on photonics; university partnerships creating an innovation hub in Arizona; along with trade developments where Taiwan became Arizona’s second-largest trading partner behind Mexico with over $21 billion in total trade.
Arizona has become one of North America’s fastest-growing semiconductor hubs since 2020 by attracting more than $214 billion in investments across over 70 industry expansions—creating about 27,000 jobs according to the Arizona Commerce Authority.
