Taiwan talents come to Xiamen seeking entrepreneurial and employment opportunities. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

The Xiamen Free Trade Zone Administrative Committee recently introduced a set of measures to encourage and support Taiwan youth in entrepreneurship and employment. These initiatives provide substantial financial incentives, business support, and employment benefits, encouraging more Taiwan youth to start businesses and seek employment in Xiamen FTZ.

This policy will take effect on April 19 and remain valid until Dec 31, 2027. It specifically applies to Taiwan youth aged 18 to 45 who come to Xiamen for entrepreneurship and employment. For internships and trainees, age limit is extended to 16 years old.

Financial incentives for Taiwan youth startups

The new measures offer financial rewards to Taiwan youth entrepreneurship enterprises operating in the Xiamen FTZ for at least six months with capital injection one million yuan ($136,948) or more will receive a reward of 10 percent of the actual capital injection amount, with a maximum reward of 200,000 yuan per enterprise.

Additionally, Taiwan youth entrepreneurship micro-enterprises renting office space will receive a three-year rental subsidy. For residential support, Taiwan youth who start a business within the Xiamen FTZ micro-enterprises and operate for at least one year, or employ workers for at least one year, will receive a three-year rental subsidy of up to 2,000 yuan per month.

Employment incentives for Taiwan youth

To expand employment opportunities for Taiwan youth, enterprises within the Xiamen FTZ are encouraged to hire Taiwan youth and sign labor contracts for one year or more. If employers handle employment registration, social insurance, and individual income tax payments continuously for one year, they will receive a labor subsidy of up to 12,000 yuan per person per year for up to three years, based on the number of recruitments, in addition to existing municipal incentives.

The measures also encourage Taiwan youth to intern in Xiamen. Taiwan students interning for one month or more, will receive a monthly subsidy of 500 yuan per person, in addition to the municipal policy. Additionally, Taiwan students interning on the mainland for the first time will receive a one-time transportation subsidy of 1,000 yuan.

Enhanced support for entrepreneurship and employment bases

The cross-Strait youth employment and entrepreneurship base matching meeting. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

The base must meet certain criteria, including a minimum building area of 1,000 square meters and at least one year of operation. For the main operating companies of these bases that invest in Taiwanese youth entrepreneurship enterprises with a paid-up capital of 200,000 yuan, a 3% reward on paid-up capital will be provided. The total annual reward amount for each base shall not exceed 100,000 yuan.

Bases designated the provincial-level or national-level cross-Strait youth employment and entrepreneurship base (demonstration point), will receive rewards of 100,000 yuan and 200,000 yuan respectively.