The nation's representative to the UK -- Tien Hung-mao (
Tien Hung-mao made the remarks while speaking at a symposium in London attended by a visiting Taiwanese business and logistics delegation to Europe and the United Kingdom Warehousing Association.
The symposium was held at the British Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Tien noted that over the past 15 years, Taiwanese companies have looked for footholds overseas, initially focusing on the US, Japan and Southeast Asia, but gradually paying more and more attention to European countries, especially the UK.
He added that the UK has a good investment environment, advanced technology, and a comprehensive warehousing and distribution system.
Citing British Ministry of Trade and Industry statistics, Tien said that bilateral trade between Taiwan and Britain totaled ?3.77 billion (about US$5.48 billion) last year, and that the UK is Taiwan's 10th largest trading partner. Taiwan also is one of the three biggest Asian investors in the UK, he added.
He said that currently there are 150 Taiwanese companies that have established a foothold in Britain and that Taiwan's investment in Britain accounts for 70 percent of its total investment in Europe.
Tien said that Taiwan companies that have established a foothold in Britain need the support of its distribution network, which he said will provide great business opportunities for British distributors.
Taiwan's 12-member delegation, led by Yeh Ming-shui (葉明水), deputy director of the Market Development Department of the China External Trade Development Council, arrived in London Sunday.
The delegation members exchanged views with the UK Warehousing Association and explored the opportunity for cooperation at the symposium Monday.
Both sides agreed that the UK is an ideal gateway for making inroads into the European market and that Taiwan has become a distribution center in East Asia as well as the gateway to markets north of Shanghai in China.
Both sides also agreed that in addition to setting up footholds in each other's country, they should also consider strategic alliances to jointly tap markets in third countries.
The delegation was scheduled to visit yesterday computer plants set up by Taiwanese manufactures north of London before continuing on their trip to the Netherlands.
Yeh said the delegation will also visit Germany and the Czech Republic before returning home next month, in the hopes of introducing into Taiwan distribution technology from Europe to help upgrade Taiwan in this area.
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