TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A cross-party group of lawmakers on Friday launched the Trans-Pacific Unmanned Vehicle Parliamentary Alliance.

The aim is to establish the drone sector as Taiwan’s next “shield” following the semiconductor industry, according to one of the sponsors, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱). The launch ceremony also featured overseas representatives, academics from think tanks, and invitees from industry, per CNA.

There was a need for a cross-party and international association of lawmakers as the use of drones had expanded beyond warfare to a range of other areas including delivery services and disaster relief, Chung said. The group would work on an effective legal framework for drones, on the sharing of experiences and on the expansion of supply chains, he added.

Chung said he hoped the alliance could function as a bridge and a platform to bring countries and sectors together to let the drone industry take root in Taiwan and launch into the international market.