President Tsai Ing-wen (sixth left) is joined by Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua (fifth left), TAITRA Chairman James C. F. Huang (fifth right) and other VIPs at the nonprofit’s 50th anniversary ceremony July 7 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of Presidential Office)
 

President Tsai Ing-wen celebrated the 50th anniversary of Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) at a ceremony July 7 in Taipei City, describing the nonprofit as instrumental in advancing the country’s international business interests.
 
More than 60 overseas offices have been set up worldwide under TAITRA’s watch, Tsai said. These are helping Taiwan companies gain a foothold in global markets, as well as organizing Made in Taiwan branding campaigns, marketing surveys, promotional activities, and trade shows and missions, she added.
 
According to Tsai, a major TAITRA initiative paying handsome dividends is the Taiwan-USA Trade and Investment Networking Center. Launched last year in partnership with the American Institute in Taiwan, American State Offices Association and American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, the center is opening the door for more homegrown outfits to set down roots in the U.S.
 
This is particularly important, Tsai said, given the raft of potential-laden opportunities created by fallout from the U.S.-China trade war and consequent relocation of international supply chains.
 
TAITRA’s goal of fostering a culture of innovation among local firms has sown the seeds for Taiwan’s key industries to thrive in an era of digital transformation, Tsai said. Such a deep-seated commitment to excellence has the country well-positioned to assume an industrial development leadership role in the post-pandemic new life, she added.
 
Headquartered in Taipei, TAITRA operates 63 overseas offices and five around Taiwan staffed by 1,300 specialists. (TYT-E)