The second Healthy Ageing Tech Show held its opening ceremony on the 8th. In his remarks, President Lai Ching-te stated that, in response to the advent of a super-aged society, the government has introduced three major policies to create an age-friendly environment and open up new business opportunities, aiming to make Taiwan a model of happiness among aging nations worldwide. The market scale for the ageing sector is expected to reach NT$3.6 trillion by 2025.
The grand opening of the second Healthy Ageing Tech Show was attended by President Lai, Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo, Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan, and Chi-Huey Wong, President of the Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry (IBMI). Together with representatives from industry, government, academia, and research, they set the policy direction and industrial vision for Taiwan’s ageing healthcare industry.
President Lai noted that Taiwan is about to enter a “super-aged society,” with the proportion of the population aged 65 and over expected to surpass 20% this year. He emphasized that safeguarding the health of older adults is at the core of the “Healthy Taiwan” initiative, and the government will advance in three areas:
- Enhancing healthcare quality — implementing National Health Insurance reform and investing nearly NT$50 billion in the “Healthy Taiwan Upgrade Plan,” expanding cancer screening, establishing a NT$10 billion cancer treatment fund, and promoting the “888 Chronic Disease Prevention Program” to achieve long-term control of chronic conditions.
- Upgrading long-term care services — launching Long-Term Care 3.0 in 2026, integrating smart care, preventive health, and health promotion to realize “healthy aging, aging in place, and dignified end-of-life care.”
- Developing diverse ageing health industries — leveraging technology, branding, and the labor force of older adults to build an age-friendly environment and open new business opportunities, with the market scale projected to reach NT$3.6 trillion in 2025.
Minister Kuo remarked that while population ageing poses challenges, it also creates opportunities. Taiwan should actively combine fundamental innovation with international strategies to promote smart healthcare and ageing technologies, positioning itself as a global hub for the health industry. This year’s exhibition, jointly organized by IBMI with ministries, research institutes, and enterprises, features an Ageing Health Industry Pavilion showcasing innovations in smart living, medical care, and health promotion, accelerating the deployment of ageing technology products and services.
Chi-Huey Wong highlighted that the ageing health industry is a vital force in addressing demographic changes. Whether in product design, service models, technological development, or system building, continuous innovation is essential. This year’s show features over 350 institutions and companies, with both scale and participation growing 1.5 times compared to the inaugural edition, reflecting strong industry momentum. He also reiterated the eight major goals of the “Healthy Taiwan” initiative, particularly the integration of smart technology products with healthcare and social resources to create diverse, connected, and integrated care services.
President Lai concluded that Taiwan’s pivotal role in the global ICT industry gives it an exceptional advantage in applying ageing technologies. Looking ahead, Taiwan will integrate healthcare, long-term care, smart living, and social participation to enhance the quality of life for older adults, becoming a model of happiness among aging nations worldwide.
Resource: 高齡健康產業博覽會開幕 賴總統：三大政策打造友善高齡環境開創商機
