On the 4th February 2014 at the Shelbourne Hotel, the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland held a special meeting for members of Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) - the largest retail industry body in Ireland involving over 1,100 leading retail companies. This event was intended to promote increased Irish-Taiwanese trade links and, in particular, two TAITRA-led initiatives that will be held in Taiwan later this year. ‘Sourcing Taiwan 2014’ (March) and ‘Trade with EU 2014’ (October) will both serve as a means of establishing communication and creating linkages between global buyers and Taiwanese suppliers.
Representative Harry Tseng has been working closely with REI and this cooperation saw an Irish delegation travel to Taiwan last October to participate at ‘Trade with EU 2013’. Eight Irish businesses made the trip, comprising of seven buyers and one seller. This forum brought them together with their Taiwanese counterparts and provided a unique opportunity to make connections and identify opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. Ahead of this year’s events, Representative Tseng was keen that these attendees share their experiences with their colleagues in an effort to encourage even greater participation.
Representative Tseng opened the meeting by thanking everyone present. He spoke enthusiastically about the positive experiences enjoyed by the 2013 delegates and how he hoped these could be built upon in the coming year. He told guests that there was great potential to develop trade between Ireland and Taiwan and that there were many exciting opportunities waiting to be explored.
A number of special guests were present on the evening to lend their support : Mr. Ciaran Lynch TD, Mr. Michael McCarthy TD, and – of particular note – Mr. John Perry, Minister of State for Small Business at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. All of these guests were offered the opportunity to make a few remarks.
Minister Perry led the way by telling the REI members that he himself had visited Taiwan four times. On each occasion he had been hugely impressed by Taiwan’s rapid economic development and the dynamic nature of its industry. He expressed his hope that there would be a strong Irish presence at the two upcoming trade events and that our businesses could work together to strengthen the economic and commercial relationship between Ireland and Taiwan.
Deputies Lynch and McCarthy echoed Minister Perry’s sentiments. They noted that Taiwan was a gateway market but were also quick to stress that, with a population of 23 million people, the Taiwanese market itself should not be overlooked. There is much more that we can do together, and our business sectors can work together to drive this.
The attendees were subsequently treated to a special presentation by Mr. Donald Lu, Director of the Taiwan Trade Centre, TAITRA’s UK branch. This presentation, entitled ‘How to create your 2014 opportunities in Asia’ provided an introduction to how TAITRA and the Taiwanese Government help to facilitate doing business in Taiwan. Mr. Lu spoke about the opportunities offered by ‘Sourcing Taiwan’ and by ‘Trade with EU’ but was also keen to stress that tailor-made meetings could be provided for those who are interested. He also explained that online meetings could be facilitated and e-communication arranged. This presentation was very well received and immediately afterwards 4 Irish companies told Mr. Lu that they were very interested in visiting Taiwan or in obtaining further information.
The latter part of the meeting took on a more reflective tone, allowing REI members who had travelled in October 2013 to tell their colleagues about their experiences in Taiwan. CEO David Fitzsimons observed that Irish companies can treat Taiwan as a gateway to the Chinese market and a springboard into South East Asia, just as Ireland was for Europe. Mr. Andrew Johnston remarked on the many advantages of doing business in, or buying from, Taiwan. These included the high quality of products, the outstanding variety and choice, and the competitive costs. Mr. Patrick McCormack spoke of his personal experience in purchasing LEDs in Taiwan and said that it was his belief that the prices and quality in Taiwan were better than what anything offered by companies on the mainland. He also recognized that the safety and security of doing business in Taiwan and the regulatory and legal protection that was available.
When the more formal side to the meeting had concluded, the various attendees mingled and talked amongst themselves about what they had heard and learned. The overriding tone of the meeting was a positive one and the information was well received. It is fair to say that the glowing remarks made by the various guests and those REI members who had been to Taiwan ensured that the attendees departed more confident and interested in doing business with Taiwan.
