SEEING the Philippines as an emerging economic power in the region, Taiwan is making a push to create a stronger presence in the country’s consumer market.
For the second straight year, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council’s (Taitra) Taiwan Excellence project is bringing Taiwan’s leading brands, while specifically targeting the youth market.
“The Philippines has a young population. We are looking at the 18-to-45-year-old market. We are looking to introduce to them high-quality products,” Taitra Deputy Executive Director Michael Y.W. Hsiao said.
He said the 77 brands they are bringing to the country, including information and communications technology (ICT), home and living, transportation, and health care, were specifically selected for the Philippine market.
For his part, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin said the Philippines is important to them and that its economic growth over the past five years has not gone unnoticed.
“In 2014 the Philippines is the third largest export partner of Taiwan among Asean countries, amounting to $9.53 billion, and 11th largest trade partner of Taiwan in the world, with bilateral trade, amounting to $11.6 billion,” Lin said.
He added: “This year, from January to May, exports from the Philippines to Taiwan reached $768 million, while exports from Taiwan to the Philippines reached $3.1 billion.” He also said that there are now more than 6,000 Taiwanese companies in the Philippines that are involved in electrical components, electronics, machinery and ICT products. According to Lin, the Philippines’s promising economy has encouraged Taiwanese companies to pursue investments in the country.
Meanwhile, Manila Economic and Cultural Office Chairman and CEO Amadeo Perez Jr. said Taiwan Excellence is mutually beneficial for the two countries.
“They are an economic and close friend of the Philippines. It is also an export market of the Philippines,” Perez said.
He said that with Taiwan Excellence, the consumers can experience the latest cost-effective and high-quality brands from Taiwan. Among the 77 brands that are on showcase are those from Acer, Asus, MSI for ICT; Pacific, Strida, Tern, SYM and KYMCO for transportation; Heartway, Miacare and Microlife for medical appliances; Sakura and Tatung for home products; and Johnson Fitness and Striker for sports products.
Taiwan Excellence has slated a number of activities this year, including the Taiwan Excellence Experience Zones this month and in September at select SM Malls; a Taiwan Pavilion at the Manila FAME in October; and year-round Taiwan Excellence Collections in SM Megamall.
Last year Taiwan Excellence only brought in 56 brands to the country.
Riza Marie Edu, Amanda Isabelle Lingao