By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY - At least 100 Taiwan exhibitors joined the Taiwan Expo 2019 held at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang here in Davao City on November 8 and 9 to showcase their expertise in various industries.
It was the first time that Taiwan Expo was organized by the Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAIRA) in Davao City. The global expo brought in Taiwanese firms seeking to forge business collaboration with their Filipino counterparts.
James C.F. Huang, chairman of the TAITRA, said the expo was expected to boost trade cooperation in the Asian region, as the two-day event facilitates industry forums and trade meetings among the participants.
Taiwan Expo featured Taiwanese companies covering a wide range of categories such as Smart City, ICT, IoT, Bubble tea, Taiwan Lifestyle, Healthcare, Agriculture and Fisheries and Taiwan Tourism, among others.
“Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. Investments are flowing in, industries are booming. It is becoming the new economic powerhouse in ASEAN,” Huang said during the opening ceremony of the expo on Friday.
Huang said agriculture and fisheries are two of the Davao’s most important industries that has a potential to become an innovation hub in various fields in this part of the country. He added that with this expo, the bilateral relations between Taiwan and the Philippines can go further.
“Since the launch of the visa waiver program in 2017, visitors from the Philippines to Taiwan have greatly increased. In 2018, visitor from the Philippine’s grew exponentially. The highest of all countries,” Huang said, as he saw new beginning, hope, and dream here in Davao City.