Taipei: Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee has extended an invitation to Taiwanese investors, emphasizing the advantages of investing in Maryland due to its skilled labor force, proximity to key federal research facilities, and strategic maritime position on the East Coast. Lee expressed these sentiments during an interview with CNA before her participation in a forum on Taiwan-U.S. trade and investment in Taipei.
According to Focus Taiwan, Lee underscored areas like cybersecurity, life sciences, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and aerospace as potential sectors for collaboration between Maryland and Taiwan. She mentioned the possibility of future public sector financial support for Taiwanese companies investing in Maryland.
In a strategic move to bolster investment ties, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) finalized an agreement with the APAC Investment and Innovation Development Association Taiwan (TAIIDA) and SFIC Group in late 2025
. This agreement allows up to US$50 million from TAIIDA and SFIC to be co-invested with qualified TEDCO investment programs. Though still in its planning phases, the initiative aims to benefit entities such as Taiwanese subsidiaries of Maryland-based businesses and joint ventures between Maryland and Taiwan companies.
Lee highlighted Maryland’s esteemed higher education institutions, including Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland, which contribute significantly to the state’s high concentration of scientists. Furthermore, Maryland’s proximity to major federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health is a substantial advantage for companies navigating product commercialization.
The Port of Baltimore also plays a crucial role as a distribution gateway for goods across the United States. The announcement of direct flights by Taiwan-based EVA Air to Washington, D.C. in 2026 is expected to enhance connectivity between Asia and the southeastern U.S.,
further solidifying Maryland’s appeal as an investment destination.
Lee, who assumed her role as Maryland’s 72nd secretary of state in 2023, highlighted the longstanding friendship between Taiwan and Maryland, supported by the state’s large Taiwanese-American and Chinese-American communities. These communities actively engage in civic activities and serve as informal ambassadors between the two regions.
Accompanied by Judy L. Smith, chief strategy officer at Maryland’s Department of Commerce, Lee’s visit to Taiwan is centered around attending the one-day forum on Taiwan-U.S. trade and investment opportunities.