Taipei, Taiwan – BANANA & Partners, represented by its Chief Business Officer, Rifqi Al-Ghifari, embarked on a journey to the vibrant city of Taipei in Taiwan to participate in the “APEC Digital Innovation to Facilitate SMEs’ Green Transformation” event, held over two days from June 13th to 14th, 2023. BANANA & Partners joined representatives from APEC member countries’ governments, along with 17 startups from diverse nations including Taiwan, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, and Indonesia.
During the event, BANANA & Partners had the opportunity to showcase their innovations, deliver pitches, and connect with potential partners and investors from various countries. The main event took place at the prestigious National Taiwan University, where entrepreneurs and stakeholders converged to explore avenues for sustainable growth. Additionally, BANANA & Partners had the privilege of visiting the Nangkang Software Incubator and engaging in cultural activities that highlighted Taiwan’s rich heritage.
“For us, this was a rare and invaluable opportunity to participate in the APEC event and introduce our innovations and startups. Personally, I am deeply impressed by the startup ecosystem in Taipei, Taiwan. They possess a strong global mindset and a profound focus on technology, giving them a competitive advantage in the global market,” said Rifqi.
The event, inaugurated on June 13th, 2023, by Mr. Chern-Chyi “C.C.” Chen, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (Chinese Taipei), Mr. Hattori Takashi, Deputy Representative of JTEA, and Mr. Nicholas Dwyer, Economic Officer at AIT, encompassed not only showcases and exhibitions but also keynote speeches, policy dialogues, and panel discussions. The keynote speeches were delivered by Mr. Dan Stevenson, Senior Director of Microsoft Teams Engineering for Asia (U.S.), and Mr. Kung-Yueh Camyale Chao, Executive Director of the International Climate Development Institute (Chinese Taipei). Policy dialogues featured representatives from the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Research and Development at the Ministry of Economic Affairs (Chinese Taipei), the Korea SMEs & Startups Institute, and Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation from Japan.
On the final day, BANANA & Partners seized the opportunity to showcase several low-carbon initiatives and empowerment impacts initiated since 2020. Alongside 17 other startups, this occasion served as a platform to establish connections and gain deeper insights into the progress of startups within the APEC region. Afterwards, Rifqi visited the Nangkang Software Incubator, which has nurtured over 30 startups that have successfully secured funding in Taiwan, while also supporting a sustainable ecosystem for startup founders in the country.
“Having witnessed the tremendous support from the government, private sector, and business climate in Taiwan, I am inspired to continue developing BANANA & Partners in terms of innovation and global partnerships,” expressed Rifqi. “I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, particularly to Ms. Lely Hiswendari, for accompanying me throughout the trip and assisting SMEs and startups in Indonesia to progress.”
BANANA & Partners’ commitment to creating both local and global impact serves as a significant foundation for sustainable prosperity. To stay updated on the latest developments from BANANA & Partners, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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