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Council reviews international business outreach; staff proposes Friendship City ties with Taiwan
Summary
Staff briefed council on international business services, Startup Runway partnership and an invitation to the Taiwan Expo; staff recommended pursuing nonbinding Friendship City MOUs with New Taipei City and Keelung City to promote cultural, education and business exchange, and council supported vetting the agreements.
The Richardson City Council heard an update from the economic development director about recent international outreach and a proposal to pursue Friendship City relationships with cities in Taiwan.
Director of Economic Development Chris Shacklett described services staff offer to international companies, including assistance with immigration paperwork, market entry, finance and real estate support, and highlighted the Startup Runway partnership that helps international firms access the U.S. market. Shacklett said the city had hosted delegations, executed MOUs in India through Startup Runway, and was invited to the Taiwan Expo. "We do have... some services that are more specific to international companies," Shacklett said, listing visa and green-card paperwork assistance and real-estate relocation services.
Staff proposed a Friendship City program as a flexible, nonbinding memorandum of understanding to promote cultural exchange, education and business links; staff identified New Taipei City and Keelung City as two potential partners. Council members asked about prior vetting, local Taiwanese business and educational ties (including student exchanges with UT Dallas) and mayoral travel to Taiwan; staff said conversations started in mid-2024 and that mayoral travel would be personally funded in part.
Next steps: Staff said they would bring back an MOU draft and timing for any signing ceremonies if the council wants to proceed; council members suggested tracking outcomes of Startup Runway's first year before committing to further travel or program expansions.
