AI products to face lower barriers in public procurement, with domestic manufacturers given preferential treatment
Manufacturing sector to accelerate AI adoption as future strategic industries receive focused support
Cost burden on small businesses to ease as support platforms are consolidated
Starting in the second half of this year, the government will lower barriers for AI products entering public procurement markets and step up efforts to nurture advanced industries. A consolidated support platform for small and medium-sized enterprises will reduce administrative burdens, while new rules — including an expanded cost-linkage regime for supplier payments and stronger startup support — will take full effect to boost the competitiveness of industry and small businesses.
Eased entry requirements for AI products in public procurement: AI products will be exempt from delivery-record requirements and some document submissions when entering the government's integrated online procurement marketplace. The regime will also be revised to allow vendor-proposed specifications to be recognized, lowering the threshold for entering the public market.
Dedicated procurement review criteria for AI products: New review standards and evaluation indicators tailored to the characteristics of AI technology will be established for the government's preferred-procurement designation. The measure aims to expand access for innovative AI products to the public procurement market.
Procurement preference for companies that localize key components: Small and medium-sized enterprises that successfully localize core components will be eligible for credibility bonus points in evaluations under the government's multiple-supplier contract system.
Full rollout of AI transformation in manufacturing: The government will push ahead with its Manufacturing AI Transformation (M.AX) policy, integrating AI into factory floors to raise productivity and industrial competitiveness while expanding the foundation for smart manufacturing.
Focused support for future strategic industries: Under the "5-pole, 3-special" growth strategy, national future strategic industries — including semiconductors, AI and future mobility — will receive concentrated support on a regional basis.
Expansion of the 'Top-Tier Visa' to science and technology fields: The Top-Tier Visa, previously limited to talent in advanced industries, will be extended to professors and researchers in science and technology. The move is intended to attract and help settle outstanding overseas research talent.
Launch of integrated membership service on SME Venture 24: An integrated membership service on the "SME Venture 24" platform will go into full operation, allowing companies to search and apply for government support programs with a single login. The change is expected to improve administrative convenience for small businesses.
Launch of the 'Everyone's Startup Project': A new initiative called the "Everyone's Startup Project" will be launched to provide linked support to prospective entrepreneurs and startups — from idea discovery through to commercialization. The program aims to invigorate the startup ecosystem and foster new industries.
Expansion of the supplier-payment cost-linkage regime: The scope of the cost-linkage regime for small-business supplier payments will be broadened from major raw materials to include energy costs such as electricity and gas. The revision is designed to allow a wider range of cost increases to be reflected in supplier payment adjustments.
adastra@heraldcorp.com
