Happy Monday! A quick reminder: a typhoon is set to hit Taiwan this week, so please take all necessary precautions and stay safe! On a brighter note, this Thursday marks German Unity Day, when we celebrate the reunification of East and West Germany on October 3rd, 1990. It's an important day of reflection and celebration for Germans everywhere—a reminder of the value of unity, justice, and freedom - as written in the first line of our national hymn.

First and foremost, we would like to remind you that you can still sign up for the "Taiwanese-German Conference on Industry 4.0 Applications" on October 22! This conference offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with leading German companies and explore new business prospects, including B2B meetings with delegation members. Funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action under the market entry programme, the event will feature presentations from nine top German firms and insights from Andreas Faath, Managing Director of Machine Information Interoperability (MII) at VDMA e.V. For more information, check out our Top News section!

We are excited to announce a remarkable green energy milestone achieved by wpd in Taiwan! Together with wpd, we hosted the "500MW Green Energy Milestone: Bamboo Pole Walk - Go with the Wind!" event last Tuesday to celebrate wpd's achievement. Over 200 seniors, students, and German business partners joined us for a scenic walk along the Green Tunnel, using locally sourced bamboo poles. Along the way, participants admired the six impressive wind turbines at the wpd Lunbei Wind Farm, which are the largest onshore turbines in Taiwan, contributing significantly to the country’s sustainable development. Read more in our GTO News section!

Speaking of milestones, InnoTrans 2024 officially kicked off in Berlin last week! As the largest ever edition, it spanned 200,000 square meters across 42 halls, with 3,000 exhibitors from 60 countries—including Taiwan! The event featured over 220 world premieres and a 3.5 km outdoor track with 133 new vehicles. In addition to the impressive figures above, numerous key Taiwanese representatives attended to demonstrate their support for Taiwan's significant contributions to the future of mobility and transport. Check out more details in our GTO News.

Finally, there's an update on the economic front: Fitch Solutions has published a new Taiwan Risk Report! This Q4 2024 report by BMI provides an overview of Taiwan's political and economic landscape, along with a ten-year forecast. Highlights include the GDP growth year-on-year in Q2 2024, the aging population challenge, Taiwan’s continued strength in high-tech industries, and its resilience despite external risks. If you're curious about the details, go to the Other News Section for a deeper dive.

That’s all for today! Please remember to stay safe during the upcoming typhoon, and here's hoping for a sunny, typhoon-free next week.

Kind regards,

Inroduction

The German Trade Office Taipei collaborates with the German Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia and in Singapore to organize a business visit focused on offshore energy solutions from November 18 to 22, 2024.

This event will cover areas such as wind energy, hydrogen energy, tidal energy, and geothermal energy. It presents an excellent opportunity for Taiwanese businesses in related fields to gain insight into the expertise and operations of German companies regarding offshore energy technology services in Malaysia and Singapore, as well as to engage and communicate with potential partners. This includes in-depth market reports on the Singapore and Malaysia regions presented by the German Chamber of Commerce, alongside special site visits.

During the event, participants will have the chance to visit notable sites such as Petronas/Gentari, where they can learn about cutting-edge offshore energy solutions and explore potential collaboration opportunities. Experts will share their practical experiences and discuss how to leverage Germany's technological advantages to advance the local energy transition process. Taiwanese businesses will also be able to explore collaboration opportunities along the entire value chain throughout the process.

Additionally, on November 20, participants will attend the OSEA 2024 exhibition and enjoy dinner networking opportunities with Taiwanese and German businesses after the event. This exhibition is one of the largest energy events in Southeast Asia and will attract professionals from around the world to showcase the latest technologies and innovations. This itinerary not only provides a platform for global companies to enter the ASEAN market but also serves as an important opportunity to promote international cooperation.

We sincerely invite all businesses and professionals interested in the offshore energy sector to participate in this remarkable event and to open a new chapter of collaboration and innovation.

As the visit requires considerable planning and has participant limits, please register as soon as possible if you are interested in the participation.

Details

Date: November 18 – 22, 2024
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia & Singapore
Languages: English

Registration

For registration or other related questions, please contact Mr. Huang from the German Trade Office.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Time: 9:30 – 16:00 (registration time: 9:00 – 9:30)
Venue: Illume Taipei (No. 100, DunHua N Rd, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105020)
Fee: Free of charge
Language: English


Registration

Are you interested in discovering the latest innovations "Made in Germany" in Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing? Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect directly with German companies, explore potential business opportunities, and find your next business partner!

As part of the upcoming delegation trip to Taiwan, Taiwanese importers, distributors, and manufacturers will have the exclusive chance to engage in B2B meetings with delegation members from October 23 to 25. To secure your spot for these exclusive meetings, simply contact Ms. Linda Blechert at blechert.linda@taiwan.ahk.de.

Taiwanese-German Conference on Industry 4.0 Applications
22.10.2024 | Location: Taipei

Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK)
24.10.2024 - 26.10.2024 | Location: New Delhi

GTO German Oktoberfest X German Business Day
24.10.2024 | Location: Taipei

Water Resource Technology Delegation in Vietnam
04.11.2024 - 08.11.2024 | Location: Ho Chi Minh City

Resilience Ecosystem Delegation - Offshore Wind & Clean Energy
18.11.2024 - 22.11.2024 | Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia & Singapore

We were honored to celebrate wpd's major achievement in reaching a 500MW installed capacity for onshore wind turbines in Taiwan! This milestone not only showcases the potential of green energy in Taiwan but also brings stable and clean electricity to 296,000 households.

Last Tuesday, GTO and wpd hosted the "500MW Green Energy Milestone: Bamboo Pole Walk - Go with the Wind!" event in Lunbei Township, Yunlin County, together with over 200 seniors, students, and German business partners. Participants walked along the scenic Green Tunnel, carrying walking poles made from locally sourced bamboo. Along the way, they admired the six wind turbines of the wpd Lunbei Wind Farm, the largest onshore turbines in Taiwan, contributing to the country's sustainable development.

Dr. Eva Langerbeck, our Chief Representative and Executive Director, stated: "Renewable energy is a key element in the global journey towards net-zero emissions, and wpd’s efforts in Taiwan’s green energy development are truly commendable. We look forward to continued collaboration between Taiwan and Germany in green technology and renewable energy, working together toward a sustainable future."

This event not only promoted green energy but also incorporated the healthy practice of Nordic walking. By using bamboo walking poles made from Yunlin’s local resources, we not only enhanced physical fitness but also supported the local economy and environmental sustainability.

Let’s join hands in lighting up the future of green energy and sustainable development in Taiwan!

InnoTrans 2024 officially kicked off in Berlin last week, bringing together the world’s leading innovators in transport technology. This year's edition is the largest ever, covering 200,000 square meters across 42 halls and featuring 3,000 exhibitors from 60 countries. Highlights include over 220 world premieres and a 3.5 km outdoor track showcasing 133 new vehicles.

Key Taiwanese representatives, including Mr. Wen-Te Chen, Deputy Director General of the Railway Bureau, MOTC, Mr. Hsin-Lung Lai, Vice President of Taiwan Railways, and Prof. Dr. Jhy-Wey Shieh, Head of the Taipei Representative Office in Germany, are leading the charge in showcasing Taiwan’s contributions to the future of mobility and sustainable transport. Taiwan's exhibitors are playing a crucial role in global innovation, strengthening international partnerships.

On the first evening, we were honored to host the exclusive Taiwan Night, a gathering of leaders from Taiwan’s transportation industry. This special event celebrated Taiwan’s cutting-edge advancements and encouraged global collaboration.

A heartfelt thanks to all participants for making InnoTrans 2024 a success!

Join us for the biggest German-Taiwanese networking event of the year, the GTO German Oktoberfest 2024!

Enjoy authentic German food, beer, and music at one of Germany’s most iconic and traditional festivities – the Oktoberfest! - So, get your Dirndl and Lederhose ready, and let’s celebrate!

Event Details

Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024
Time: 18:00 – 22:00
Venue: 2F. Grand Ballroom, Illume Taipei
Address: No 100 Dun Hua N Rd, Songshan District, Taipei, Taiwan 台北市松山區敦化北路100號
Dress code: traditional German Oktoberfest attire (Dirndl & Lederhosen)

Special Features

Traditional German Band Performance directly from Germany with the MÜNCHNER BUAM band
All-You-Can-Drink fresh Hofbräu beer: Weisse & Dunkel
Authentic German Set-Menu (Vegetarian Menu is available on request)

Sponsorship Opportunities for Corporate Clients

As Oktoberfest is one of the most lively and friendly German festivities with great attendance, sponsors enjoy attractive and wide visibility throughout the event venue, event materials as well as media coverage through the display of their company logo. Therefore, we offer two attractive sponsorship packages. GTO Business Alliance Members get a special discount on those packages. To learn more about our sponsorship opportunities, please look at our sponsorship package.

Aiming to capitalize on opportunities in water recycling and aligning with economic strategies for the water resource industry, the German Trade Office Taipei, in collaboration with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam (AHK Vietnam) and Germany Trade & Invest - Southeast Asia (GTAI ASEAN), will lead Taiwanese water technology companies to the Vietwater exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City. The visit will also facilitate industry exchanges with local water resource management professionals from Vietnam and Germany, as well as business development and matchmaking.

If you are a Taiwanese company specializing in water management solutions and are interested in expanding into the Vietnamese market, don't miss the Vietnam Water Resource Technology Delegation organized by the German Trade Office Taipei this November.

As the visit requires considerable planning and has participant limits, please register as soon as possible if you wish to join the Delegation.

Event Details

Date: November 4 – 8, 2024
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Languages: English

Registration

For registration or other related questions, please contact Ms. Venus Peng.

The largest platform for the global energy industry, Smarter E Europe, was a phenomenal success in June! We are excited to announce that the next Smarter E Europe will be held from May 7 – 9, 2025, at Messe München, Germany. Smarter E Europe unites four major exhibitions: Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe, and EM-Power Europe. These exhibitions will cover renewable energy, batteries and energy storage systems, charging equipment and e-mobility, as well as energy management and integrated solutions. 

In 2024, Smarter E Europe featured over 3,000 exhibitors showcasing their innovative products and attracted approximately 110,000 visitors from around the globe. Additionally, more than 2,500 attendees participated in the conference and various side events, setting a new record. 

Next year, in corporation with TAITRA we will organize the Taiwan Pavilion in the Intersolar Sector (Hall A3). We welcome all Taiwanese companies to join us! Smarter E also exhibits globally, not just in Munich but in Mumbai, Dubai, South America, and North America. 

From April 8-10, 2025, Messe Berlin will host Europe's leading event for digital health, DMEA. It brings together decision-makers from across the healthcare sector, including IT specialists, physicians, hospital and nursing care executives, and experts from politics, science, and research.

DMEA 2024 was a massive success, attracting over 800 exhibitors, more than 19,000 visitors, and nearly 300 speakers from around the globe. The event covered a wide range of topics beyond healthcare in Germany, such as patient care in Europe, the electronic patient record in Denmark, and AI transparency in Europe.

DMEA is an excellent platform for system and hardware/software vendors worldwide to seize market opportunities and engage with the digital healthcare community.

Don't miss your chance to be part of next year’s DMEA! To exhibit at DMEA 2025, please contact our colleague Mr. Pinchao Huang.

The latest risk report on Taiwan, published by BMI—a Fitch Solutions Company—in Q4 2024, offers a comprehensive overview of the island's political and economic landscape, along with a ten-year forecast. Key findings include the following:

Read a more detailed summary on our official website.

Source: Fitch Solutions

Taiwan’s GDP Tipped to Grow 3.8% This Year

Taiwan Economy Heats Up Further on Strong Exports

Taiwan's economic indicators flashed a "red" light, indicating a booming economy fueled by strong tech demand and record exports, according to the National Development Council (NDC). The composite index rose to 39, its highest since November 2021, marking the second "red" light this year. Key drivers included robust demand for AI applications and new tech product deliveries, along with adjustments from Typhoon Gaemi. Traditional sectors like base metals and machinery also improved. Merchandise exports reached a record US$43.64 billion.

Chiu Chiu-ying of the NDC highlighted that Taiwan could benefit from stable global trade if the U.S. economy remains strong, although recent interest rate cuts may lead to uncertain effects globally. The ongoing development of AI and new consumer electronics is expected to boost Taiwan's export-oriented economy, with anticipated investments from semiconductor makers and international tech firms establishing R&D centers in Taiwan.

(Last access: 30.09.2024 / Focus Taiwan)

Starlux Aims to Begin Issuing Dividends as Early as 2026

Starlux Airlines announced plans to eliminate cumulative losses and potentially pay dividends by 2026, capitalizing on Taiwan's role as a transit hub.

During an earnings call, the airline revealed that capital from its upcoming stock market listing could help clear its NT$8.15 billion (US$255 million) losses. Chairman Chang Kuo-wei expressed optimism due to the expected completion of Terminal 3 at Taoyuan International Airport in 2027, which will release more airport slots and facilitate expansion for new airlines.

The terminal will mainly serve flights to North America and Southeast Asia, enhancing the transit experience for travelers. To meet future demand, Starlux plans to increase its fleet from 24 to over 50 planes by 2026. Chang also noted Taiwan's transit market potential, stating that neither Indonesia nor Thailand has direct flights to North America, positioning Taiwan as a strategic transfer point.

(Last access: 30.09.2024 / Focus Taiwan)

Science Parks Achieve Record-High Half-Year Turnover: NSTC

Taiwan's three science parks reported a record turnover of NT$2.16 trillion (US$50.20 billion) in the first half of 2024, driven by the global AI boom, with an expected total of NT$4.5 trillion for the year, according to Wu Cheng-wen, head of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC).

The Southern Taiwan Science Park led with NT$927.3 billion, followed by Hsinchu at NT$738.3 billion and Central Taiwan at NT$493.4 billion. The integrated circuit (IC) sector contributed NT$1.686 trillion, or 78% of the total, benefiting from increased AI demand.Furthermore, The Southern Taiwan Science Park experienced a 36.98% turnover increase, with the IC sector growing by 40.02%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) plays a significant role, with advanced process revenue making up 60% of total turnover. TSMC plans to begin operations at a new packaging plant in 2025. Wu noted that the semiconductor industry typically performs better in the second half of the year.