Amid the rapid transformation of the global digital economy and the rise of smart cities, the New Taipei City Government remains committed to advancing its high-tech and innovation industries. Following fruitful visits to Turkey and Germany, the New Taipei business delegation—led by Deputy Mayor Chen Chun-Ching—has now arrived in the Netherlands, one of Europe’s most forward-looking technology hubs. The visit covers Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Eindhoven, aiming to draw from Europe’s advanced experiences in urban governance and lay a foundation for future bilateral cooperation. The city hopes to leverage international exchange to further accelerate New Taipei’s urban transformation and revitalize its grassroots economy.

Deputy Mayor Chen stated that the delegation’s first stop was a visit to ASML, the global leader in semiconductor technology, to express gratitude for its investment in New Taipei and to welcome supply chain partners to establish a deeper presence in the city. The delegation also met with New Taipei-based companies AAEON Technology and GIGABYTE Technology to understand their business development and operations in Europe, seeking to reinforce partnerships and enhance the international competitiveness of New Taipei’s industries. Furthermore, the delegation visited Amsterdam City Hall to exchange views on urban development. Amsterdam officials shared centuries of urban planning and development experience—valuable insights for New Taipei, a city facing continuous population growth.

Deputy Mayor Chen added that to accelerate industrial upgrading, New Taipei is actively seeking international cooperation and foreign investment. The delegation visited the High Tech Campus Eindhoven (HTCE)—often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of the Netherlands"—as well as its management center, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), and PhotonDelta, the Dutch photonics industry alliance. Discussions focused on the local innovation ecosystem and industrial clustering strategies. By learning from the campus’s successful R&D model and innovation-led development, New Taipei aims to optimize the planning and operations of its International AI + Smart Park, enhancing its overall industrial competitiveness and global impact. The delegation also extended invitations to Dutch enterprises to invest in New Taipei, seeking to deepen Taiwan-Netherlands industrial cooperation and strengthen both sides’ roles in the global industrial value chain.

Economic Development Department Director-General Sheng Hsiao-Jung noted that the city is also promoting market redevelopment and grassroots economic policies. During the visit, the delegation toured the Markthal in Rotterdam, often hailed as “the world’s most beautiful market.” Integrating residential and commercial functions, it has become both a city landmark and a major tourist attraction—an exemplary model of internationalized grassroots economy. The Markthal’s successful fusion of architectural aesthetics and modern digital technology offers concrete inspiration for New Taipei’s Galaxy Bay Project and upcoming market redevelopment initiatives. The goal is to create a space that not only meets citizens’ daily needs but also becomes a magnet for international tourism.

The Economic Development Department emphasized that this overseas mission will serve as a catalyst for further initiatives focused on ICT, smart manufacturing, cloud technologies, and big data applications. By accelerating digital transformation and combining local industrial strengths with international resources, New Taipei aims to attract cutting-edge technologies and R&D investments from around the world. Simultaneously, the city will continue advancing industrial upgrades, market redevelopment, and other key infrastructure projects to strengthen urban development momentum, create more employment and livelihood opportunities, and establish New Taipei as a globally competitive smart and innovative city through cross-border technological exchange and strategic resource integration.