About CIER

Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER)

Introduction

Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) is a highly esteemed think tank in Taiwan which holds distinguished international recognition. Since its establishment in 1981, CIER has provided economic and industry-related research and recommendations to the Executive Yuan, Taiwan’s government. As an independent organization, it represents Taiwan while actively engaging with international institutions to improve global and local economic affairs. In 2018, CIER was ranked 140th out of 6,000 global think tanks in the TTCSP Global Go to Think Tank Index Reports. This places CIER as the sole Taiwan-based think tank amongst the top 2%.

History

In 1979, formal diplomatic relations between the United States and Taiwan became strained. In response to this abrupt shift, Taiwan’s government enacted the “Measures for Financial and Economic Reforms” to ensure stable economic growth and facilitate ongoing development in Taiwan. As part of this act, with support from businesses and government, CIER was established as an economic research institution on July 1, 1981. The primary objectives at the time were to recruit domestic and foreign experts to research global economic statuses and to provide insightful policy recommendations to the government. As globalization and international relations have evolved, CIER has extended its reach to international institutions and now offers its research services to help both locally and globally.

Vision

The Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (hereinafter referred to as the “CIER”) aspires to become a globally renowned economic policy think tank. The CIER has long served as a trusted economic policy think tank for the nation, offering policy recommendations that are widely recognized and valued by various sectors of society.

In response to the increasing trend and strategic growth of economic and industrial globalization, the CIER has acknowledged the pressing need to collaborate with international policy think tanks, cultivated a global reputation, and strengthened its influence on the international stage.

As such, the CIER has gradually formulated its research agenda and implemented strategic objectives. As a policy think tank, the CIER must be grounded in robust intellectual capacity. It has conducted in-depth research on major national economic and industrial policies and offered well-founded recommendations to support the government in steering the country’s economic and industrial development.

To achieve its goal as a think tank, the CIER must maintain professionalism, promote innovative thinking, and commit to societal well-being while remaining impartial and objective. Its goal is to conduct research that blends academic rigor with practical policy relevance to provide objective and constructive recommendations.

As the government’s leading think tank in finance and economics, the CIER’s staff hold high aspirations for the institution’s mission. They include shaping strategies for sustainable national development as well as economic and industrial policy, spearheading thought leadership in major economic and industrial policy issues, building strategic frameworks and knowledge platforms for industrial development, fostering the exchange and integration of key domestic and international economic insights, and cultivating a new generation of professionals in policy analysis and evaluation.

The CIER steadfastly upholds its core principles, thereby enhancing its academic capacity for policy research. It rigorously investigates critical policy and industry issues while serving as a vital communication platform for diverse sectors, both domestically and internationally. This commitment allows the CIER to make tangible contributions to the advancement of Taiwan’s economic development and national competitiveness.

To provide guidance and direction for the country’s development, including its economic and industrial policies.
To be the navigator and warning institute for major economic and industrial issues.
To recommend professional knowledge and analysis on industrial development strategies.
To create a platform for the exchange of local and international economic-related knowledge and to lead in policy work.
To cultivate a skilled and professional workforce capable of making informed policy decisions and analyses.

CIER’s Services

Significant Contributions of CIER

I. National economic policy think tank: Provide policy recommendations as references for government economic policies:

Serve as a research staff member for the World Trade Organization (WTO): Serve as a government research staff member for WTO matters and assist in negotiations and related policy planning.
Support research on bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): Conduct impact assessments of FTAs, serve as research staff for government FTA negotiations, and provide references for government agreement discussions.
Assist in the publication of the White Paper on SMEs: Over the past 30 years, we have supported the government in publishing the White Paper on SMEs, which analyzes the operational status of more than 1.5 million small and medium enterprises. It also serves as a reference for government policy planning and the strategic development of small and medium enterprises.
Develop and evaluate government tax incentive tools: Assess the impacts and effectiveness of government tax incentive policies from the previous “Act of Encouragement of Investment” and “Act for Upgrading Industries” to the current “Statute for Industrial Innovation,” while facilitating ongoing policy adjustments.
Plan, promote, and develop policies for a green economy: Conduct in-depth research and policy tool planning for Taiwan’s net-zero emissions goals, carbon tax and fee frameworks, and related policy configurations.
Enhance Japan economic research and industrial-economic exchanges: Strengthen Taiwan-Japan economic and industrial exchanges through research conducted by the CIER’s Japan Center Subcommittee, fostering robust Taiwan-Japan political and economic relations.
Conduct research on mainland China’s economy: The CIER’s President periodically analyzes the current state of mainland China’s economy, evaluates trends and impacts of cross-strait economic and trade policies, and provides policy recommendations to the government.
Monitor trade and economic policy trends of major countries: Plan and track the trade, economic, and industrial cooperation policies of key countries, including impact assessments of the New Southbound Policy.
Evaluate technology and related policies: Assess the impact and business opportunities of emerging technologies and industrial policies in Taiwan.
Publish quarterly Taiwan macroeconomic forecasts: Provide quantitative data and forward-looking insights on domestic economic trends, serving as a foundation for industry, government, academia, and research institutions to observe and discuss Taiwan’s economic dynamics and development.

II. Engage with leading international think tanks and host international conferences: Enhance Taiwan’s national visibility through collaborations with institutions such as the Brookings Institution of USA; World Trade Institute (WTI) of Switzerland; Research Institute of Economy, Trade, and Industry (RIETI) of Japan; Korea Development Institute (KDI); Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI); Pune International Centre (PIC) of India; and India’s Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS).

III. Organize domestic seminars and forums to create a platform for dialogue between the government and the public, promote government policy outcomes, discuss economic fluctuations, and analyze the implications and significance of key policies.

IV. The researchers at the CIER also serve as joint or adjunct professors and lecturers at universities to provide young scholars and students with insights into the latest economic trends and policies.