TAITRA eyes Eastern European markets

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA, 外貿協會) is organizing a trade delegation in cooperation with the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs to help domestic manufacturers explore Eastern European markets, a TAITRA official said yesterday.

According to the official, the delegation is scheduled to head for Eastern Europe in September to explore trade opportunities in several emerging markets such as Romania, Hungary and Slovakia.

Last week, for instance, Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Mei-yueh (何美玥) said more Taiwanese manufacturers would consider investing in Slovakia, if the Slovakian government could help Taiwanese manufacturers establish factories in regions within an hour's of drive of its capital, Bratislava.

During the fact-finding visit, the TAITRA delegation will organize a series of trade consultations in the capital cities of the three countries to step up trade cooperation with local manufacturers, the official said, adding that the delegation members will also visit several shopping malls and hypermarkets.

Taiwan manufacturers are well-suited to invest in the information technology and auto parts sectors, the official said.

Additionally, information products, electronic parts and components, electrical household appliances, sporting goods, hardware and stationery, as well as bicycles and related components, are also suitable investment destinations.