Fujian begins annual Taiwan entrepreneurship support program

East China's Fujian province has launched this year's "101 Taiwan Youth Entrepreneurship Support Program" to provide multiple channels for Taiwan youth to conduct innovation, entrepreneurship and creation in the province, the Fujian Youth Federation said on Monday.

Since the program started in September 2015, the province has helped and supported 145 Taiwan youth entrepreneurship projects and issued entrepreneurship support funds worth a combined 4 million yuan ($556,158).

A total of 80 Taiwan youths have been selected to receive the title of "entrepreneurship star".

"Those Taiwan youth aging from 18 to 45 can apply for the individual item of 'entrepreneurship star' and their entrepreneurial projects must have business registration in Fujian in the past three years," said a staff member from the provincial Taiwan youth entrepreneurship service center, noting that if the applicant is from a partnership company, the applicant's share should account for over 30 percent.

The program will also give a team "entrepreneurship star" award, granting the title to entrepreneurship and innovation teams, which are composed of at least 60 percent Taiwan youth under the age of 45.

Each individual or team winner will receive an entrepreneurship support fund of 50,000 yuan as well as a series of services, including consultations, training courses and three years of accompanying mentors.

Related departments will also assist them in connecting business venues, media, capital and other resources, and guide them to join the business network to help young entrepreneurs succeed.

The program gives priority to entrepreneurial projects in the fields of digital commerce, marine economy, sustainability, cultural tourism and key areas of Fujian and Taiwan industrial cooperation.