The New Jersey Asia Pacific Center, which formally opened Wednesday morning in Taipei, Taiwan, is intended to help facilitate increased trade and collaboration in sectors crucial to New Jersey’s continued economic success, such as technology, life sciences, manufacturing, clean energy and artificial intelligence.
The center, run by Choose New Jersey, is the fifth office that Choose has opened around the globe.
It was first announced last fall during Gov. Phil Murphy’s 10-day economic mission to East Asia, and will serve Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and China — with an aim to further showcase New Jersey to companies in the region that are looking to expand to the U.S. and support their efforts by helping with all aspects of establishing a presence in New Jersey.
Amazingly, the center already is doing just that.
On the day that Choose New Jersey formally opened the office — and satellite offices in China, Japan and Korea, Choose announced there already has been an 845% increase in the pipeline of East Asian companies interested in establishing or expanding their presence in New Jersey since the trip last fall.
Murphy obviously is thrilled.
“With the historic inauguration of the New Jersey Asia Pacific Center, we are unleashing new possibilities and prosperity for our workers and our families, in New Jersey, in Taiwan and across the Asia Pacific region,” he said.
“This pivotal step signifies the beginning of a new era, where our enduring bonds with Asian nations will evolve into unprecedented realms of opportunity, collaboration, economic prosperity and cultural enrichment.”
Choose New Jersey CEO Wes Mathews agreed.
“The opening of the New Jersey Asia Pacific Center marks a critical milestone in our efforts to enhance our presence in some of the world’s most significant economic markets,” he said. “Through the center, we look forward to building bridges and sharing the incredible value proposition of New Jersey’s world-class talent, location and innovation-fueled economy to our partners in the Asia Pacific.”
Mathews said the opening of the center strengthens economic and cultural ties, creates new opportunities and fosters collaboration that benefits both New Jersey and its East Asian partners — many of which already are familiar with the state.
Count Hsiao Bi-khim, the vice president of Taiwan, among them.
“As a former resident of New Jersey, the Garden State has a special place in my heart,” she said. “I am confident that the opening of the New Jersey Asia Pacific Center will provide strong momentum in boosting trade, investment and people-to-people ties between Taiwan and the Garden State.
“More importantly, this will help deepen Taiwan-U.S. economic and investment relations on the whole, making an already robust relationship even stronger.”
About Choose New Jersey
Choose New Jersey is the state’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization, working globally and in collaboration with state government to empower businesses, entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators to make New Jersey their home.
Since its founding in 2010, Choose New Jersey has helped more than 420 companies, generating $11 billion in capital investments, which created and retained nearly 49,000 jobs in the state.
Daniel Diann-Wen Tang, secretary general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Taiwan, said Taiwan is thrilled by the partnership.
“We appreciate Gov. Murphy’s decision to establish New Jersey’s first Asia Pacific Center in Taiwan, reflecting a strategic understanding of Taiwan’s role as a gateway to the broader Indo-Pacific region,” he said. “By combining our resources and expertise, we can strengthen supply chain resilience, drive innovation and promote economic growth while upholding our shared values of democracy, freedom and openness.”
The New Jersey Asia Pacific Center is Choose New Jersey’s fifth international office. New Jersey’s other international offices are located in India, Israel, Germany (covering mainland Europe) and Ireland.
Sam Lin will serve as director.
“As we establish the New Jersey Asia Pacific Center, Choose New Jersey is showing its deepening commitment to fostering global partnerships, driving innovation and creating opportunities for East Asian countries looking to expand to New Jersey,” he said. “I am excited to lead the team that will work to advance Choose New Jersey’s mission in this new capacity.”
