NJII's Kathy Naasz and Gov. Murphy Talk Innovation During East Asia Economic Mission

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey Innovation Insitute’s Kathy Naasz and startup founder Po Chen sat down with a popular Taiwan-based podcast to talk innovation and global entrepreneurship in New Jersey during the recent East Asia economic mission trip.

The delegation included business and academic leaders and was organized by Choose New Jersey. Choose New Jersey is set to establish its fifth international office, the New Jersey Asia-Pacific Center, in Taipei City, Taiwan, by 2024. Governor Murphy's announcement marks a milestone in the bilateral relationship between New Jersey and key partners in East Asia, as he is the first sitting governor to visit Taiwan. The trip also included stops in Japan and South Korea.

This economic mission aimed at fortifying the existing relationship between New Jersey and Taiwan, which is estimated to generate $4 billion in revenue annually. The mission sought to only strengthen and explore future trade, investment and academic ties.

Murphy and Naasz emphasized the state's commitment to global collaboration. The forthcoming Asia-Pacific office in Taipei City is a strategic move to foster partnerships, leveraging New Jersey's strengths in talent, location and economic value. New Jersey stands out as an ideal location for startups, with its diverse population of over 180 nationalities. Notably, it hosts the fourth-highest Taiwanese-American population in the United States, underscoring the state's cultural diversity and international appeal.