TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said Wednesday that Taiwan has the rare opportunity to build an Asian Asset Management Center in Kaohsiung that could surpass Hong Kong and Singapore.
At Asia Summit 2026 in Kaohsiung, hosted by the Commercial Times, Cho said that Kaohsiung has transitioned from heavy industry to technology, tourism, and financial services. He said this model could be replicated elsewhere to scale up the industry.
Cho identified capital and industrial strength as Taiwan’s two key advantages, pointing to increased domestic investment and improved regulatory frameworks. He added that Taiwan’s key role in semiconductors and AI could be paired with finance to boost overall competitiveness.
The premier said that in addition to a solid economic foundation, Taiwan has a capable workforce and a vast overseas business network. Cho added that Taiwan should accelerate capital and talent acquisition to compete across Asia and globally.
The AAMC has been listed among the Cabinet’s 13 strategic industries, with efforts focused on deregulation, innovation, and talent development, per the Cabinet press release. Cho said the ultimate aim is to attract capital and retain talent while integrating finance with technology, per UDN.
Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said the pilot zone progress is ahead of schedule and thanked the central government for backing the project. He recalled President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) goal of building an Asian NASDAQ, adding that the early success has bolstered confidence, per CNA.
Chen said Kaohsiung has attracted NT$1.2 trillion (US$37.0 billion) in investment over the past five years across semiconductors, AI manufacturing, electric vehicles, and net-zero technologies.
He said the city will link with Chiayi, Tainan, and Pingtung to form a full semiconductor and financial services corridor, with finance playing a key role in supporting infrastructure upgrades.
