By Eryk Michael Smith/Staff
PINGTUNG — The Pingtung County Chamber of Commerce (屏東縣商業會) has opened a larger headquarters in Pingtung City as the 75-year-old organization expands services for local companies and trade associations.
A wide range of political and business figures attended the opening ceremony on Sunday, including KMT Legislator Su Ching-chuan (蘇清泉), DPP Legislator Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱), Pingtung City Mayor Chou Chia-chi (周佳琪), and half a dozen county councilors, officials, as well as candidates running in the November local elections.
Speakers during the roughly one-hour ceremony repeatedly called for stronger cooperation between Pingtung and Kaohsiung, including better transport links and closer coordination on economic development.
They said greater regional cooperation would help both areas benefit from major technology and industrial projects now under development in Pingtung.
Several speakers also called for closer coordination among the county’s industrial parks, arguing that a stronger network would help Taiwan’s southernmost county compete for investment and business opportunities.
The chamber officially relocated on July 1 to the first floor of No. 29, Dihua Street (迪化街29號), replacing its former office on Rueihua Street (瑞華街). Its telephone and fax numbers remain unchanged.
The organization said the new headquarters provides improved office and meeting space as its administrative workload and demand for member services increase.
It will also give the chamber more room to host central government officials, academics, and representatives from business organizations in other cities and counties.
Founded in 1951, the chamber serves as a link between Pingtung’s business community and government agencies. Its work includes distributing information about regulations and subsidies, helping companies obtain business and certification documents, and arranging legal, accounting, tax, and labor consultations.
The chamber also organizes training programs, business exchanges, industry visits, charitable activities, and annual recognition programs for local companies and business leaders.
Its members include companies and commercial trade associations representing industries across Pingtung County.
The move took place during the term of Chairperson Lu Chun-feng (呂春風) and reflects a broader effort to improve services and strengthen cooperation among local industries.
The organization has moved several times during its history. Earlier locations included the Pingtung County Labor Recreation Center on Ziyou Road, an office on Guangdong Road, and the former Rueihua Street headquarters.
The chamber said it would continue representing local business interests while supporting industrial cooperation and economic development across Pingtung County.
The new headquarters can be reached at (08) 721-1996 or admin@ptcoc.org.tw.
