Dear Subscriber,

As we embark upon a new week filled with fresh opportunities and endeavors, let us take a moment to reflect on the great things that unfolded in the past week.

Reviewing the highlight of our recent activities, we are thrilled to share the success of the "German-Taiwanese Conference Regarding the Sporting Goods, Fitness, and Leisure Equipment." Held at the ILLUME Hotel Taipei, this conference demonstrated the collaboration fostered by the market development program of the Federal Ministry of Economy and Climate Action. With over 70 attendees, the event served as a platform for establishing connections between Taiwanese businesses and renowned German suppliers. Read more about this event in our Top News.

Moreover, our delegation embarked on an enriching visit to TaiSPO, one of Asia's premier trade shows dedicated to sporting goods. Facilitated by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), this VIP tour provided our delegates with a firsthand experience of the latest market trends and valuable insights into potential cooperation opportunities between Germany and Taiwan. Find out more about our visit in our Top News.

We also had the pleasure of hosting Ms. Mimi Poon, Manager of Chamber Services at the German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. In a productive meeting, we explored avenues to strengthen networking events and bolster the presence of German companies in both Taiwan and Hong Kong. For further insights into this exciting exchange, delve into our GTO News.

Besides, we are very proud of our experience at ITB Berlin 2024, where we continued our mission to spotlight the allure of Taiwan to the world. ITB Asia presented an unparalleled opportunity to further showcase the island's beauty and hospitality. Read more about it in our Trade Fair News.

In addition, do not miss our exclusive interview with the new Managing Director of TRUMPF Taiwan, Mr. Patrick Kemnitz. Check out our Business Alliance News for more information.

Looking ahead, we remind you once again to mark your calendars for the upcoming TMTS 2024, where our German Pavilion will proudly showcase the innovative products and services of 23 esteemed German companies. Stay tuned as we unveil the exhibitors and events in the coming weeks, promising an enriching experience for all attendees. Discover this week's revealed exhibitors in our Trade Fair News.

Here's to a week filled with endless possibilities and positive outcomes!

Axel Limberg
Delegate and Chief Representative of German Industry & Commerce in Taiwan
Executive Director of the German Trade Office Taipei

Cross-Border Exchange on Cooperation Potential in the Field of E-Mobility Between Taiwan and Germany
15.04 – 19.04.2024 | Location: Taipei, Kaohsiung

Geschäftsanbahnung für deutsche Hersteller Zweiräder inkl. Zweiradkomponenten
13. – 17.05.2024 | Location: Taipei

Become part of our GTO German Business Alliance!
More information about our membership packages on our website.

Last Thursday, Ms. Mimi Poon, Manager Chamber Services at the German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong visited our colleagues Ms. Linda Blechert and Ms. Dana Ye. As two of the Asian Tigers, the economies of Hong Kong and Taiwan share many similarities and hundreds of German companies are invested in both locations. Together with Ms. Poon, we exchanged exciting ideas on how to improve our networking events and enhance the visibility of German companies on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We are proud to be part of a well-connected, global AHK network and are looking forward to further accelerating the cooperation with our colleagues!

Vom 15. bis 19. April 2024 findet unsere Delegationsreise nach Taiwan im Bereich Elektromobilität statt. Die Reise wird im Rahmen des Programms zur Internationalisierung der Regionen im Strukturwandel von GTAI Germany Trade and Invest durchgeführt und vom BMWK Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz gefördert. In Zusammenarbeit mit der Investitionsförderungsgesellschaft NRW.Global Business und den Unternehmensclustern automotiveland.nrw und der Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier für DEinternational Taiwan, die Dienstleistungsgesellschaft des Deutschen Wirtschaftsbüros Taipei (AHK Taiwan) ein spannendes fünftägiges Programm durch, bei dem sich deutsche Unternehmen vernetzen können und umfangreiche Einblicke in die taiwanische Elektromobilitätsbranche erhalten.

Taiwan beherbergt bereits weltweit führende Unternehmen in den Bereichen Elektronik und Halbleiter. Das über Jahrzehnte angesammelte Knowhow in der Produktentwicklung und Massenproduktion soll dazu genutzt werden, künftig auch in der Elektromobilität eine führende Rolle einzunehmen. Bereits jetzt sind Hersteller wie Tesla stark auf Komponenten aus taiwanischer Fertigung angewiesen. Für deutsche Unternehmen die ideale Möglichkeit, neue Anreize für Innovationen und Geschäftsmodelle sowie neue Kooperations- und Vertriebspartner zu gewinnen.

Weiterführende Informationen sowie einen Link zur Anmeldung finden Sie auf dieser Website.

Wir freuen uns auf Ihre Teilnahme!

Step aboard the future of transportation at BUS2BUS 2024, where innovation meets the open road! Get ready to explore the next generation of buses that redefine the journey. All aboard for a thrilling ride into the future!

BUS2BUS 2024 is taking place from April 24 - 25 in Berlin, the trade fair is an innovative business platform for the bus and supplier industry in Germany and Europe, focusing exclusively on the bus industry. The show is expected to be bigger than last year, with more buses and test drive opportunities than ever before.

Combining a trade show, an informative Future Forum, and presentations & workshops, it covers the entire spectrum of future technologies and showcases the latest trends and innovations in the bus industry.

One ticket, many possibilities: The BUS2BUS 2024 ticket includes practical workshops and test drives in advanced vehicles, access to a two-day stage program with in-depth insights into the industry and the opportunity to make contacts with industry leaders and prominent political decision-makers to shape the future of mobility together.

Contact us to receive your exclusive GTO voucher code to enjoy a 25% discount.

If you have any questions regarding ticketing, please contact our colleague Ms. Peng (02-7735-7524 / peng.venus@taiwan.ahk.de) for further information.

In our interview with the new Managing Director of TRUMPF Taiwan Mr. Patrick Kemnitz, he told us about TRUMPF's innovative approach, and the company's plans for the next century. Additionally, Mr. Patrick Kemnitz comments on the importance of sustainability for TRUMPF Taiwan. Read the whole interview on our website.

Our GTO German Business Alliance Gold Member Bayer just released their latest sustainability report on their official website. With this Sustainability Report, Bayer aims to provide transparent and in-depth insights into both its sustainability strategy and its sustainability performance.

The Scaleup Landing Pad supports growing GreenTech businesses from the fields of mobility, logistics, energy and construction in their expansion to Germany and Europe out of Hamburg.

Your greentech scaleup offers solutions in the fields of mobility, logistics, energy and construction? You can apply for the Landing Pad if your business...

... is between 3 and 10 years old.
... has a proven product-market fit in your home market.
... shows proof of a strong growth phase within the past two years.
... does not have a base in Hamburg nor headquarters in Germany.
... is able to actively participate in Hamburg’s ecosystem during the participation in the Landing Pad.

Interested scale-ups can submit their application online via the Landing Pad website. All submissions will be assessed by a panel of experts. The first admission phase and onboarding are expected to begin in spring.

Approved scale-ups are advised in the programme and encouraged to set up business and establish themselves in Hamburg with the help of individual incentives & services, networks and support (single point of contact). The incentives are divided into Business Development, Location Consulting, Living & Workspace and Business Services. Participating scale-ups receive personalised one-to-one support tailored to their individual needs.

The German Institute in Taipei and the Taipei Representative Office in the Federal Republic of Germany are announcing a call for proposal for joint R&D projects.

Applicants are expected to develop ready-to-market solutions for products, technology-based services or methods in all technological and application areas, which have strong market potential. The Taipei Representative Office in the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Institute in Taipei will respectively provide access to public funding for joint projects.

The Taipei Representative Office in the Federal Republic of Germany (Coordinator: Project Office of A+ Industrial Innovative R&D Program, AIIP PO) and the German Institute in Taipei (Coordinator: AiF Projekt GmbH) will provide all necessary assistance to project partners during all the project proposal, evaluation and monitoring phases.

AIIP PO and AiF Projekt GmbH will evaluate the submitted proposals independently and communicate the results within about 5 months after receiving the proposal.

Find more information on their website.

Am 09. Juni 2024 findet die Wahl der Abgeordneten des Europäischen Parlaments aus der Bundesrepublik Deutschland statt.

Deutsche, die außerhalb der Bundesrepublik Deutschland leben, das 16. Lebensjahr vollendet haben und im Bundesgebiet keine Wohnung mehr innehaben, können bei Vorliegen der sonstigen wahlrechtlichen Voraussetzungen an der Wahl teilnehmen.

Für ihre Wahlteilnahme ist u. a. Voraussetzung, dass sie

1.1  am Wahltag seit mindestens drei Monaten in den übrigen Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union eine Wohnung innehaben oder sich mindestens seit dieser Zeit dort gewöhnlich aufhalten (auf die Dreimonatsfrist wird ein unmittelbar vorausgehender Aufenthalt in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland angerechnet)

oder

1.2  entweder nach Vollendung ihres 14. Lebensjahres mindestens drei Monate ununterbrochen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland eine Wohnung innegehabt oder sich sonst gewöhnlich aufgehalten haben und dieser Aufenthalt nicht länger als 25 Jahre zurückliegt, oder aus anderen Gründen persönlich und unmittelbar Vertrautheit mit den politischen Verhältnissen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland erworben haben und von ihnen betroffen sind,

2. in ein Wählerverzeichnis in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland eingetragen sind. Diese Eintragung erfolgt nur auf Antrag. Der Antrag ist auf einem Formblatt zu stellen; er soll bald nach dieser Bekanntmachung abgesandt werden.

Einem Antrag, der erst nach dem 19. Mai 2024 bei der zuständigen Gemeindebehörde eingeht, kann nicht mehr entsprochen werden (§ 17 Abs. 1 der Europawahlordnung).

• Antragsvordrucke (Formblätter) sowie informierende Merkblätter sind online auf der Seite der Bundeswahlleiterin (www.bundeswahlleiterin.de) verfügbar. Sie können auch bei
  den diplomatischen und berufskonsularischen Vertretungen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland,
• der Bundeswahlleiterin, Statistisches Bundesamt, Zweigstelle Bonn, Postfach 170377, 53929 Bonn, Germany;
• den Kreis- und Stadtwahlleitungen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland angefordert werden.

Weitere Auskünfte erteilt das Deutsche Institut Taipei auf seiner Internetseite.

Taiwan's Economy Turns Stable in January

Taiwan's economy turned stable in January, as an index gauging economic conditions flashed a "green" light in January on signs of improvement in production, investment, and retail sales, the National Development Council (NDC) said Monday.

The leading indicators assessing the state of the economy over the next three to six months also moved higher for the fourth consecutive month in January, indicating economic growth on the horizon, the NDC said.

Data compiled by the NDC, Taiwan's top economic planning body, showed the composite index of economic indicators rising five points from a month earlier to 27, the highest level since May, when the index reached 28.

(Last access: 07.03.2024 / Focus Taiwan)

Taiwan's Exports Rise for 4th Straight Month in February

Taiwan on Friday reported a fourth straight month of year-on-year export growth in February, with outbound sales rising by 1.3 percent from a year earlier to US$31.43 billion, the second highest ever for the month, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

The surge was partly a result of solid demand for information technology and audio-visual products, which reached US$8.51 billion in February, double the level of the previous year and an all-time-high for the month, the ministry said in a press release.

(Last access: 11.03.2024 / Focus Taiwan)

TSMC Reports Highest Sales Ever for February

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, has reported its highest sales ever for February, though revenue for the month was still more than 15 percent below the total in January.

The company posted consolidated sales of NT$181.65 billion (US$5.77 billion) in February, up 11.3 percent from a year earlier but down 15.8 percent from a month earlier, according to financial data released by TSMC on Friday.

Analysts said the year-over-year sales increase reflected solid demand for artificial intelligence applications that need TSMC's high-end processes.

(Last access: 11.03.2024 / Focus Taiwan)

Acer Reports Eight Months of Consecutive YoY Growth

Acer Inc. (TWSE: 2353) announced its February 2024 consolidated revenues at NT$16.12 billion with 9.8% growth year-on-year (YoY), achieving eight consecutive months of YoY growth. Year-to-February revenues reached NT$31.35 billion with 10.7% growth YoY. Some business highlights:

• Notebook business revenues grew 20.5% YoY in February; 11.4% YoY year-to-February
• Gaming business revenues grew 35.7% YoY in February; 14.7% YoY year-to-February
• Chromebooks business revenues grew 55.3% YoY in February; 50.2% YoY year-to-February

Acer's strategy to expand multiple business engines continued to gain momentum. Total revenues from businesses other than computers and displays contributed 28.2% of the group's total revenues in February and 33.5% during year-to-February.

(Last access: 11.03.2024 / Taiwan News)