Along with the emphasis on blue economy across the globe, ocean has been regarded as one of the new drivers for economic growth in many countries. The sustainable development of marine industry in Taiwan relies on the promotion of collaboration between the central government and local governments. With the support from Ocean Affairs Council, Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC) hosted “seminar of promotional strategy for marine industry in south region” on the 6th of September. More than 30 representatives of industry, official, academic and R&D institutes were invited for participation, including Fisheries Agency of Council of Agriculture, Industrial Development Bureau, MOEA, Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Maritime Port Bureau, Bureau of Tourism of Tainan City Government, Agriculture Bureau, Marine Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government, Pingtung County Transportation and Tourism Department, Agriculture Department, Taisugar Biotechnology Business Division, International Cruise Council Taiwan, Chinese Taipei Underwater Federation, Liouciou Township Ecotourism Association, Chiayi Fishermen’s Association, Tainan Fishermen’s Association, and Kaohsiung Fishermen’s Association, to exchange their opinions on the current development and future potentials of marine industry in the southern region. It is anticipated to guide local marine industry carrying out innovation and enhancing local value through the experience sharing in the seminar.

According to Ocean Affairs Council, it is hoped to find out the main focus of marine development at each county and city in the southern region through the seminar, and assist the local to implement the promotion of marine industry in a pragmatic way. The principal investigator, Dr. Ching-Hui Chen, from MIRDC highlighted that Taiwan possesses abundant marine resources and has excellent development potentials. After the investigation of current situation in the country and the trend in other countries, we can develop towards five key dimensions in the future by combining with featured resources in each local country and city, including marine tourism and recreation, blue circular economy, smart marine technology, marine energy and water resources, and marine biotechnology.

This was meeting that focused on marine industry promotional strategy, and it will be continued hosting relevant seminars one after another in the middle region, northern region, outlying islands, and eastern region. Through face-to-face conversation, MIRDC hopes to gather the development direction and demand among local governments together. It is expected to collect the views on trend in different sectors through the focus seminar as well as for Ocean Affairs Council to assist local government setting up action plans in creating the cooperative opportunities between the central and the local to reach the goal of pouring new drivers for the marine industry in Taiwan.