The Center for Small and Medium Enterprises and Startup Research

    Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) has established the "Small and Medium Enterprises Research Center" since 1997. Its fields include business overview, human resources, trade and investment, innovation and entrepreneurship, digital performance, and regulatory adjustment. It actively serves as a think tank for the Small and Medium Enterprises Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). The Center has compiled the "White Paper on Small and Medium Enterprises" every year since 1997, providing timely and detailed information on the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), promoting various policies and measures of MOEA to provide guidance to SMEs, and providing reference for SMEs.
    At the same time, in order to participate in international organizations such as APEC and related international exchange occasions, an English version of the "White Paper on Small and Medium Enterprises" has been compiled since 1998, it will promote international knowledge on the development status of Taiwan's SMEs, and give full play to the function of international publicity. In 2023, in conjunction with the revision of the Organizational Law of MOEA, the Small and Medium Enterprises Administration was upgraded to the Small and Medium Enterprises and Startup Administration, and the center was renamed the "Small, Medium and Startup Enterprises Research Center."

    The center is positioned to study the development of Taiwan's SMEs and new start-ups, and to conduct in-depth discussions on the challenges and business opportunities they may face. In the meantime, the center also pay attention to key issues such as digital transformation, technological innovation, circular economy and globalization of small, medium and start-up enterprises in Taiwan, and meet the development needs of Taiwan's SMEs enhance their competitiveness in global market. The research directions and main objectives of this center include:
1. To promote the development policies and guidance related matters of relevant government units for small and medium-sized enterprises and new enterprises, and compile relevant electronic information to act as a platform for matching small and medium-sized enterprises with government-related resources.
2. To understand the operating appearance and long-term operating trends of small and medium-sized enterprises and new start-ups, build a dynamic database of small and medium-sized enterprises, and analyze their characteristic statistical indicators such as business operations, finance and human resources utilization.
3. In response to major domestic and international situations and environmental developments and changes, conduct research and analysis on issues such as accelerating digital transformation, green transformation, social influence and other issues for small and medium-sized enterprises and new start-ups, and provide professional consulting services.