Tokyo, Nov. 9 (CNA) Four Taiwanese software developers signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) with Japanese counterparts Thursday, establishing partnerships for future development, with an eye on the Southeast Asian market.
In a ceremony held in Tokyo, Taiwan-based HAMASTAR Technology Co. signed a MOU with Japan's Mars Flag Corp., Taiwan's Syscom Group inked an agreement with Japan's Arise Innovation Inc., Taiwan's Geo Informatics Inc. signed a MOU with Japan's codetakt.com, and Taiwan's Appedu Computer Design Institute inked an accord with Japan's animation school amps.
The joint ventures are supported by the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) under Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, which has encouraged the local business sector to seek foreign partnerships and work together to develop markets in countries targeted by the Taiwan government's "New Southbound Policy."
The New Southbound Policy, launched by the government of President Tsai Ing-wen after taking office in May 2016, aims to promote better relations and interaction with the countries of South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Yvonne Chiu, head of the Information Service Industry Association of R.O.C., which headed a delegation from the four Taiwanese firms to Tokyo, and IDB Secretary General Chen Pei-li were among the 100 guests to witness the signing ceremony.
Chiu said the association has helped dozens of Taiwanese information technology firms establish similar partnerships with foreign counterparts in recent years.
Under the latest MOUs, the eight companies plan to cooperate in system software development, website development, search engine development and software education, while they will also work together in marketing and sales.
On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, Han Yi-chen, vice president of HAMASTAR said the company's partner Mars Flag has a workforce in Taiwan so the two firm's see few difficulties in communicating.
Han said HAMASTAR looks forward to promoting products with Mars Flag not only in Taiwan and Japan but also in other regional markets.
In response, Yujiro Takei, an executive from Mars Flag, said the company has set up a foothold Singapore since five years ago, and has already has partnerships in Malaysia and Thailand, and now is delighted to have a strategic partnership with Kaohsiung-based HAMASTAR, which has an excellent pool of talent, adding the Japanese company considers itself lucky.
