The Training Institute of the Ministry of Finance successfully concluded the 41st International Taxation Academy 2025 after two weeks of intensive learning and exchange. The closing ceremony was held on the morning of August 29th, when Minister Chui-Yun Chuang personally presented certificates of completion and delivered remarks of encouragement. Distinguished guests included the Ambassadors of Belize and Eswatini, representatives from the embassies of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia, a representative from the Saudi Arabian Trade Office, a Minister on home assignment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chair of the Department of Public Finance at National Taipei University, and the Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Fiscal Affairs. The ceremony was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere.

In her remarks, the Minister first congratulated all participants on their successful completion of the program. She noted that the purpose of the International Taxation Academy is to enhance Taiwanese fiscal officials’ understanding of current international fiscal and tax systems and policy trends, while also strengthening bonds with officials from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies. Since its establishment in 1984, the Academy has welcomed 294 foreign officials from 65 countries and 1,481 domestic tax officials. Over the past 41 years, it has become an important platform for fostering continued cooperation and exchange with partner nations.

This year’s curriculum focused on “Economic and Fiscal Challenges in the Fast-Changing World” and “Fiscal Federalism and U.S. State and Local Tax Policy.” Special appreciation was extended to Professor Edward Weite Hsieh, Professor Emeritus of Economics and Statistics at California State University, Los Angeles, and Professor Emeritus Michael Arnold Nelson, Honorary Professor at the University of Akron, Ohio, for traveling to Taiwan to share their expertise and valuable experience. Their lectures analyzed the latest U.S. political and economic developments, major categories of taxation, and differences between the tax systems of Texas and California. Group discussions further enabled participants to compare Taiwan’s tax regime with those of other countries, thereby broadening perspectives in policy evaluation and enhancing policy planning capabilities.

The Minister also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its longstanding assistance and resource support. This year’s program brought together officials from eight partner countries: Belize, Eswatini, Kosovo, Oman, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. Thanks were also extended to the Departments of Public Finance at National Chengchi University and National Taipei University for recommending five outstanding students, who joined 60 tax officials from the Ministry of Finance and its affiliated agencies in studying alongside the international participants. After two weeks of study, domestic participants reported gaining valuable knowledge, while international participants shared that they had developed a deeper and more tangible appreciation of Taiwan’s culture and daily life.

The Minister emphasized that today’s closing ceremony is not an end, but rather a new beginning. She expressed her hope that all participants would translate what they have learned into concrete action in their professional work, and continue to advance friendship and cooperation in the years to come.