Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Holds Plaque Unveiling Ceremony in Phoenix

Arizona and Taiwan leaders celebrated at TECO’s new Phoenix office and signed an MOU to strengthening collaboration

PHOENIX (Oct. 6, 2026) – Arizona and Taiwan celebrated another significant milestone in their expanding partnership as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) hosted a plaque unveiling in Phoenix, Arizona.

Governor Katie Hobbs joined leaders including Dr. Chia-Lung Lin, Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs; TECO Phoenix Director General Kevin Chiao; Ingrid Larson, Managing Director, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego; Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority; and Christine Mackay, President and CEO, Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) to commemorate the office opening.

The event on Oct. 5 brought together elected leaders from Arizona, representatives from TECO and Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the American Institute in Taiwan, and local government, academic, and community leaders, and a visiting delegation of over 40 government and industry leaders.

The TECO Phoenix office will serve as a critical resource to support Taiwan companies as they establish operations in Arizona, building on recent activities including the opening of the Taiwan Trade & Investment Center in May 2026.

“Arizona continues to strengthen our relationship with Taiwan through mutually beneficial opportunities in trade, investment, and cultural exchange,” said Gov. Hobbs. “Across our state, Taiwanese families, restaurants, small businesses, cultural festivals, and community organizations are enriching Arizona’s vibrant and diverse communities. We are proud to welcome TECO’s office to Arizona and look forward to building on this important partnership and creating new opportunities for our people and our economies.”

“Opening TECO in Phoenix marks a new chapter in the partnership between Taiwan and Arizona. Our presence here reflects not only the remarkable growth of our economic ties, but also a shared commitment to building deeper and lasting connections among our businesses, universities, communities, and people,” Chiao said. “We look forward to making TECO Phoenix a bridge between Taiwan and Arizona — one that transforms the tremendous momentum in our partnership into new opportunities, stronger cooperation, and lasting benefits for the people of both Taiwan and Arizona.”

“Phoenix is proud to welcome the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and mark another important chapter in our longstanding relationship with Taiwan,” Mayor Gallego said. “Taiwan’s growing presence in Phoenix reflects the strength of the economic, cultural and community ties we have built over decades. This new office will bring our communities even closer while creating new opportunities for innovation and collaboration that will benefit Phoenix and Taiwan for years to come.” 

“The opening of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Phoenix marks an important milestone in the longstanding partnership between Arizona and Taiwan,” Watson said. “This new office will serve as a catalyst for collaboration — connecting our economies more directly, supporting Taiwanese companies as they expand in Arizona, and opening new avenues for shared innovation and opportunity.”

“Taiwan has emerged as one of Greater Phoenix’s largest trade partners, building upon the nearly 50-year relationship between the two markets,” Mackay said. “This office will inspire greater trade, investment and connection and help deepen ties between Arizona and Taiwan.”

As part of the ceremonial opening events, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) and the National Innovation & Entrepreneurship Association (NiEA), Taiwan’s premier entrepreneurship platform, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on innovation, entrepreneurship and workforce development. The MOU was signed by Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the ACA, and Bill Chiu, Chairman of NiEA.

Core goals for the MOU include:

• Strengthening collaboration between startups, SMEs, entrepreneurs, and innovation organizations in Arizona and Taiwan to support business growth and market expansion.
• Connecting companies and investors through matchmaking, investment engagement, delegations, and events that promote commercial partnerships.
• Advancing talent development and research via partnerships among universities, research institutions, and industry.
• Enhancing economic connectivity and supply‑chain integration to support startups and larger companies operating across both markets.