The government has launched a three-pronged strategy to attract local and international talent, aiming to position Taiwan as a new global hub following Nvidia Corp’s announcement that it has chosen Taipei as the site of its Taiwan headquarters.
Nvidia cofounder and CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) on Monday last week announced during his keynote speech at the Computex trade show in Taipei that the Nvidia Constellation, the company’s planned Taiwan headquarters, would be located in the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park (北投士林科技園區) in Taipei.
Huang’s decision to establish a base in Taiwan is “primarily due to Taiwan’s talent pool and its strength in the semiconductor supply chain,” Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo (郭智輝) said.
Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters
Nvidia’s plan to set up its research and development and operations center in Taipei is also likely to attract digital nomads from around the world, Kuo said.
National Development Council Department of Human Resources Development Director Hsieh Chia-yi (謝佳宜) said Nvidia’s announcement is expected to drive a major shift in the talent market, reaffirming Taiwan’s position as a favorable environment for international talent development.
This year, the council’s talent policy would focus on three directions, which include amending the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及雇用法), Hsieh said.
By revising the law, the government aims to expand eligibility for talent recruitment, increase legal flexibility for digital nomads, simplify the process of obtaining permanent residency and enhance social security, she said, adding that the Cabinet has reviewed a draft bill, which is pending approval.
Hsieh further said that the talent policy also includes a plan aimed at attracting overseas Taiwanese talent, coupled with a targeted recruitment program.
Many overseas Taiwanese professionals are reaching middle age and “are at a turning point in life,” she said.
Meanwhile, the global supply chain is undergoing restructuring, with many major companies investing in Taiwan and some Taiwanese enterprises expanding their overseas presence, Hsieh said.
The developments are creating strong demand for international talent, she added.
As such, the council aims to serve as a “bridge” between employers in need of talent and skilled overseas Taiwanese professionals, and would work to attract the latter back to Taiwan for employment, Hsieh said.
In addition, in January, the council launched a pilot program for “digital nomads,” offering a visa for foreign professionals who can work remotely, which would be valid for up to 3+3 months.
The goal is to first attract foreign talent to Taiwan, with the hope that once they experience and grow fond of the country, they would choose to stay longer, Hsieh said.
