High score for Taiwan's world-class machinery

Now considered the number 3 leading trade shows in Asia, TaipeiPlas showed off more than 2,300 booths, 13% higher than in the previous edition. Ten other countries participated through their own pavilions, including for the first time, China, thus demonstrating the developments in the plastics industry from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

The opening ceremony was attended by special guests which included Taiwan Vice President Wu Den-yih, Mr. Hsiu Tsang Hsu, Chairman of Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI), Mr. David Wu, Chairman of the Plastics and Rubber Machinery Committee of TAMI, and Mr. Wayne W. Wu, Deputy Chairman of Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and various representatives from local and international groups and organisations.

Taiwan's world-class plastic and rubber machinery has been generating huge revenues due mostly to the innovations that Taiwanese manufacturers have undertaken in the areas of injection moulding, extrusion, film production and material solutions. The latest technologies have led to breakthrough processing methods bearing fruits in the form of high quality finished products.

Environment-friendly initiatives are also very much apparent as exhibitors present their innovations to reduce carbon footprint. This year, the show added new services and features. For instance, one-on-one procurement meetings were held with 147 meetings and based upon exit surveys, deals were signed worth an estimated $67.26 million or NT$ 3.5billion. Much of this business was generated by the 50 big buyers who were specially invited from Vietnam, Indonesia, India, various nations in the Middle East, Turkey, Russia, South Africa, Brazil and Mainland China.

Another highlight was the signing of the memorandum of understanding between TaipeiPlas and Plast Eurasia of Turkey to encourage cross-border exchanges between the Taiwanese plastics and rubber industry and its Turkish counterpart, and enhance exchanges between the two countries in plastic and rubber production.

Guest of honour Taiwan Vice President Wu Den-yih stressed on the importance of Taiwan as it continues to catch up with global competition despite the challenges it faces. He also put emphasis on how companies need to be more customer-oriented. The plastics and rubber industry is important for the development of Taiwan not only for job creation, but also as a source of government revenues. In turn, the government is helping the industry find its niche markets that can drive growth.