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Newport Digital appoints former head of Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs to board

Newport Digital Technologies Inc. announced recently that Steve Ruey-Long Chen, former minister of economic affairs for Taiwan and former board chairman of the Institute for Information Industry (III), has joined the NPDT Advisory Board.

Chen will provide invaluable insight and guidance as NPDT continues to implement its business strategies and brings innovative technology driven solutions to market, including RFID, WiMax, Wireless digital signage, Security and VoIP products and services, according to a company release. Many of these solutions have been successfully developed and implemented in Taiwan through NPDT’s technology partners, III and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).

“NDPT is a company with creative and visionary ideas,” Chen said. “I am positive that the distinguished leadership, together with excellent marketing expertise, will make NDPT a very successful information and communication technology company. It is my great pleasure to join NDPT as a member of the Advisory Board.”
As minister of economic affairs, Chen had a broad range of duties. He oversaw Taiwan’s economic development as a whole, with a portfolio spanning from domestic industrial development to international trade relations, including Taiwan’s active participation in international trade organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. Also under his supervision were major state-owned enterprises, such as CPC Corporation (petroleum), Taiwan Power Company (electricity), CSBC Corporation (shipbuilding), Taiwan Sugar Corporation, Taiwan Water Corporation, and Aerospace Industrial Development Corp., with a total of more than 56,000 employees.

In his previous capacity as deputy minister, Chen was instrumental in the signing of Taiwan’s first Free Trade Agreement, concluded with the Republic of Panama, followed by the signing of FTAs with Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras. In addition, he was appointed as representative and chief of Taiwan mission for the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) mission that was set-up in Geneva, Switzerland, and subsequently came to a successful conclusion with the formal accession of Taiwan to the WTO.

After his retirement from the Taiwanese government, Chen was invited to be board chairman for III. Currently, he is the board chairman of SINOCON Industrial Standards Foundation in Taiwan, promoting the harmonization of ICT industrial standards between China and Taiwan.

“We are pleased to have Steve come aboard and assist us with our business strategy and technology solutions for NPDT,” said NPDT chairman Richard Damion. “Steve’s vast business and political experience, coupled with a deep understanding of technology makes this a winning combination that will greatly benefit NPDT.”