He became chairman of Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation in October 2002, shortly after TTL had been renamed from the Taiwan Tobacco and Wine Monopoly Bureau.[2][4] Weeks after taking the position, Hwang backed government efforts to test for bootleg rice wine, announcing that TTL would provide free wine testing in partnerships with local authorities.[5] He stated in 2003 that TTL's Long Life cigarettes would be sold in China.[6][7] However, the products did not hit the Chinese market until late 2004.[8] Hwang's attempt to market Taiwan Beer in China saw similar delays.[9][10][11] Under Hwang, TTL also turned to younger drinkers and the international market to expand business.[4][12][13] As chairman, Hwang explored privatization of the company with multiple investors.[14] However, employees rejected the plan in an April 2004 vote.[15][16] Later, Hwang stated that privatization would still occur.[17]
Hwang was appointed Minister of Economic Affairs in January 2006.[20][21] He approved Taipower's first rate increase in 23 years that May.[22] In June, Huang visited Indonesia, the first time since 2001 that a Taiwanese cabinet official was invited to an economic conference there.[23] Later that month, Hwang signed a free trade agreement with Nicuraugua, represented by Alejandro José Arguello Choiseul.[24] Hwang stepped down from the Ministry of Economic Affairs in August 2006.[25]
