Abbott Announces Launch of Texas State Office in Taiwan

Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference on March 15, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

TEXAS (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott announced Sunday that Texas is working to open a Texas State Office in Taiwan with the goal of enhancing “economic and cultural cooperation between Texas and Taiwan, promoting greater trade, investment and collaboration between Texas and Taiwan,” according to a news release.

The announcement was made at a news conference in Taipei and as part of Abbott’s “three-country economic development mission” involving Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. While Abbott is abroad, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is serving as acting governor and helping guide preparations for Hurricane Beryl ahead of its expected landfall in northern Mexico and southern Texas Sunday through late Monday.

Before Sunday’s announcement, Abbott and Taiwanese Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo signed a statement of intent on economic development. The agreement aims to promote investment, job creation and trade between the two entities.

Once established, the Texas State Office in Taiwan will operate within the governor’s office and under the Texas Office of Economic Development and Tourism, the statement said.

“Texas and Taiwan are vital economic partners seeking to drive the future of innovation,” Abbott said in the statement. “Today, I am announcing two key initiatives that will help strengthen our economic relationship and foster unprecedented prosperity for both our peoples. These two initiatives – an economic agreement and a new Texas State Office in Taiwan – will strengthen the economic and cultural relationship between Texas and Taiwan. Working together, we will ensure that our people have the freedom and opportunity to thrive in the growing economies of the 21st century.”