A total of 550 buyers from a record 68 countries like debutants Bhutan, Lebanon, Peru and Uganda, participated at the seventh edition of the two-day event, according to organizer Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
“Hot trends are the order of the day at Sourcing Taiwan,” TAITRA Chairman Francis Liang said. “We launched new areas dedicated to Taiwan’s services sector, highlighting such industries as digital content, franchises, hairstyling, handicrafts, information services, medical care and print.
“The response from buyers has been enthusiastic, and we are already looking to expand these sections in 2016.”
Enhanced collaboration with focus markets is another highlight, Liang said, adding that the Ministry of Economic Affairs earmarked Brazil, Egypt, Germany, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the U.S., Vietnam and mainland China as Taiwan’s top export targets. “A total of 235, or 43 percent, of this year’s buyers are from these markets.
“India and Indonesia, in particular, were our main objectives, and a procurement policy conference is taking place April 2 for businesses from these two countries.”
According to the chairman, this post-show event should take cooperation with big buyers, including Indonesia’s largest automotive component manufacturer PT. Indokarlo Perkasa and Indian flagship machinery provider RSB Transmissions Ltd., to the next level.
On the emerging market front, Taiwan is expected to up collaboration with Myanmar going forward. A 30-member delegation from the Southeast Asian nation attended Sourcing Taiwan and signed a memorandum of understanding with Taiwan Transportation Vehicle Manufacturers Association.
Matchmaking sessions are another focal point of the event. More than 1,500 local suppliers, comprising major industry players AU Optronics Corp., Everlight Electronics Co. Ltd., Gigabyte Technology Co., Lite-On Technology Corp., Mobiletron Electronics Co. Ltd., Motech Industries Inc., Pegatron Corp. and Tatung Co., took part in over 8,000 one-on-one meetings.
Sourcing Taiwan also attracted heavyweight buyers including Dutch industrial services group Aalberts Industries N.V., Japanese information service provider CEC Ltd. and Turkish appliance manufacturer Arcelik A.S., each boasting annual revenues of up to US$5 billion.
“The involvement of these firms underscores Taiwan’s success not just in exploring emerging markets but maintaining leadership in the mature ones as well,” Liang said. (YHC-JSM)
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