FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUSTIN, Texas – May 29, 2026 – The Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) has announced the official liftoff of Access Taiwan, a high-stakes, executive trade delegation departing this weekend. Running from May 31 to June 5, 2026, the mission brings an elite cohort of Central Texas economic development officials, civic leaders, and business and tech executives directly into the epicenter of the global technology supply chain. A true Texas delegation, many participants represent areas outside the Greater Austin region, including the Asian Chamber of Commerce (Houston), the University of Houston, and numerous dynamic Texas-based AI and tech entrepreneurs.
The initiative arrives at a critical juncture for U.S.-Taiwan trade relations. Taiwan remains an indispensable economic partner to both the United States and the State of Texas, serving as the foundational backbone for global semiconductor manufacturing and the hardware powering the artificial intelligence revolution. As Texas continues to expand its own semiconductor fabrication and infrastructure footprint, the Access Taiwan mission is strategically engineered to build a seamless innovation corridor between Austin and Taipei.
“National ACE is proud to support efforts that strengthen the economic, innovation, and people-to-people ties between Central Texas and Taiwan,” said Chiling Tong, President & CEO of the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE), who is joining as a special envoy of the delegation. “As global supply chains and emerging technologies become increasingly interconnected, partnerships between regions like Central Texas and Taiwan are more important than ever.”
Timing Coincides with COMPUTEX 2026
The delegation’s arrival is meticulously timed to coincide with COMPUTEX Taipei, the world’s premier technology showcase, and InnoVEX, Asia’s landmark startup ecosystem platform. Delegation members will receive VIP executive access to witness the vanguard of AI robotics, immersive tech, and next-generation computing hardware, placing Austin leadership in the room with global industry titans.
“Taiwan is a beating heart of the global technology supply chain, and its synergy with Central Texas has never been more vital,” said Mark Duval, President & CEO of GAACC and Delegation leader. “As we touch down in Taipei alongside an elite delegation of Austin’s civic, economic development, and business leaders, our objective is clear: to solidify the Austin-Taiwan innovation corridor for the long term. By aligning directly with tech titans at COMPUTEX and central government ministries, we are positioning Greater Austin as the premier U.S. landing pad for advanced manufacturing, AI, and semiconductor expansion. Our message is clear: Austin is open for business, Taiwan is essential to us, and this trip will be nothing short of transformative for our region’s economic future.”
“Access Taiwan is about execution, initiating the Austin–Taiwan innovation corridor, and turning conversations into long-term partnerships,” said Andy Lee, GAACC member and Cofounder & Executive Partner of adanvis. “We are committed to leveraging adanvis’ Taiwan-side network to connect GAACC with the right resources and partners, building sustained AI and semiconductor collaboration for years to come.”
High-Impact Mission Pillars
Rather than a standard trade visit, Access Taiwan features a highly targeted, aggressive itinerary designed to secure long-term cross-border infrastructure, including:
- Sovereign & Institutional Alignment: High-level central government briefings with the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), alongside key trade agencies (TEEMA, CIECA, IEAT) to safeguard tech supply chain resilience.
- Securing the Tech Supply Chain: Strategic site visits and executive meetings with global market leaders like TSMC, MediaTek, Inventec, Pegatron, and Compal to align the Texas semiconductor fab ecosystem with Taiwanese original design manufacturers (ODMs).
- Venture Capital & Soft-Landing Infrastructure: Capital strategy sessions with Taiwania Capital and Plug and Play Taiwan to establish direct tracks for startup exchange, cross-border investment, and industry-academia pipelines with UT Austin and National Taiwan University, plus ecosystem support from Epoch Foundation.
- Infrastructure & Smart City Co-Location: Deep dives into data center power reliability, semiconductor-grade water supply, and smart factory pilots with pioneers like Delta Electronics.
“Through collaboration and international engagement, we are creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators to lead in critical sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing,” Chiling Tong added. “Our goal is to help businesses build the strategic partnerships and global connections needed to compete, innovate, and strengthen long-term economic resilience between the United States and Asia.”
The delegation includes a robust roster of regional champions, including members of the GAACC, members and board members of the Houston Asian Chamber of Commerce, representatives from the Pflugerville Community Development Corp, the Buda Economic Development Corporation, and Trade Management Solutions.
GAACC extends its deepest appreciation to its delegation partners for their generous support: The City of Austin, National ACE, Plug and Play, adanvis, and ecosTek.
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About the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) engages with members of the Central Texas business community, with governmental entities, and with nonprofit organizations to help drive local economic growth for businesses with ties to or allyship with Asia and Asian Americans. GAACC works to develop Austin’s global business connectivity while promoting regional economic equity for all. To learn more, visit www.austinasianchamber.org.
Media Contact
Erich Pelletier
VP, Communication & Marketing
Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce
erichpelletier@austinasianchamber.org