TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A nine-member delegation from the Latvia–Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group visited the Asia UAV AI Innovation Application R&D Center in Chiayi County on Monday.

Led by Latvian lawmaker Ingrida Circene, the group aimed to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s drone industry and explore opportunities for future industrial cooperation and international exchange, according to the Chiayi County Government.

Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang (翁章梁) said Taiwan and Latvia have begun cooperation in the drone sector. In November 2024, the Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance signed an MOU with the Federation of Security and Defence Industries of Latvia, marking an important step in technology R&D, manufacturing, and international market expansion, he said.

Weng added that the two sides have highly complementary strengths in the drone industry and expressed hope for deeper cooperation in defense technology and industrial innovation.

He also said Chiayi plans to invest NT$6.9 billion (US$230.44 million) in developing the Minxiong Aerospace Industrial Park and an additional NT$3.2 billion to integrate the Asia UAV center with a national-level research and innovation center, positioning it as a key national base for drone development.