Taipei:The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Taipei has urged Taiwan to enhance the transparency and predictability of its administrative procedures to boost investment, as highlighted in its newly released annual white paper.

According to Focus Taiwan, the chamber presented the document to National Development Council (NDC) Minister Yeh Chun-hsien, advocating for regulations that align with international standards and addressing shortages of skilled workers and electricity. Chamber Chairman Yuichi Masuda emphasized that these challenges affect various industries and echoed concerns from businesses in Taiwan, suggesting that resolving these issues could attract larger investments and advanced technology, as well as strengthen supply chains.

The white paper recommends a more transparent and efficient process for permit applications, approvals, and consultations, alongside increased flexibility in meeting business needs. These recommendations are based on the chamber’s survey of its member companies, which had a 70% response rate. The survey praised Taiwan's living environment and business infrastructure but noted difficulties with administrative practices and staffing.

Yeh responded by acknowledging the white paper as a vital tool for evaluating Taiwan's investment environment. He detailed government efforts to simplify electricity license applications and enhance energy supply stability. In terms of workforce, Yeh noted improvements in working and residency conditions for foreign professionals and urged the chamber to support a bilateral trade agreement with Japan.

Masuda expressed gratitude for progress on previous requests and mentioned that this year’s white paper contains 51 requests, with 26 continuing items and 25 new ones. The chamber also suggested a regular forum, coordinated by the NDC, for ongoing policy dialogue. Yeh committed to ongoing collaboration with government agencies to refine regulations and administrative procedures to support business growth in Taiwan.