The 2002 Taitronics Show, one of the nation's largest electronic com-ponents show, kicks off today at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall and is expected to attract upwards of 10,000 international buyers.
"The electronics industry is Taiwan's most promising sector and for years Taiwan has been a major production base for global electronic equipment and pro-ducts," said Chao Yuen-chuan (
Chao noted that the annual event has become an important opportunity for local manufacturers to build connections with foreign companies.
According to CETRA, the production value of the nation's electronics industry in 2001 was US$117.8 billion, accounting for nearly 50 percent of Taiwan's total industrial production value.
The 28th annual Taitronics Show is a two-stage event.
The first stage -- the Taitronics Components & Equipment show -- runs through Oct. 13 and will feature exhibits from 832 electronic manufacturers in 1,903 booths.
Between Oct 16 and 19, the second stage -- the Taitronics Finished Products show -- a total of 761 electronic product makers will set up 1,784 booths.
Compared to last year, the number of manufacturers in the show is down about 5 percent.
"The economy is in a downturn and therefore some companies have cut their marketing budget," Chao explained.
In terms of buyer numbers, CETRA expects a better result over last year.
"Last year since the Taitronic show started right after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the US, many Western business travelers decided not to fly to Asia," Chao said.
In 2001, about 9,900 international buyers visited the show.
Chao said every year in October several Asian countries including Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong hold electronics shows and foreign buyers often visit several shows.
Meanwhile, an industry veteran said the shutdown of 29 US west coast ports has more or less impacted Taiwan's electronics industry, given that the US is Taiwan's largest trading partner.
"Currently, most Taiwanese electronic-component makers deliver their products by air rather than by sea, therefore the impact is limited," said Hank Hsu (
However, if the shutdown is continued into next month, many products, such as Christmas-related electronics timed to arrive the US in early December, may have to be shipped by air.
"Of course we hope the shutdown will end as early as possible or the transportation costs will jump significantly in the last quarter of this year," Hsu said.
According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs's Board of For-eign Trade, the value of Taiwan's exports to the US from six of the 29 west-coast ports in 2001 was US$9.5 billion, accounting for about 28.67 percent of the total exports to the US.
The Taitronics Components & Equipment show opens to buyers at 9am and to the general public at 1pm. Admission is NT$200.
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