We hope you’ve been enjoying the beautiful October weather! We have a very busy week ahead at our office, with exciting events lined up, including the Taiwanese-German Conference on Industry 4.0 Applications and GTO German Oktoberfest X German Business Day 2024! Be sure to check out our Top News and GTO News section for details on these vibrant gatherings. We’re also gearing up for ITB Asia 2024 happening in Singapore this week, which you can read about in our Trade Fair News. 

On the topic of thrilling events, mark your calendars for November 5, 2024. Our service unit warmly invites you to join our online conference Shaping the Future of Europe’s Mobility in Hamburg - Opportunities for Market Expansion and Investment for Taiwanese Companies! Explore investment opportunities and gain insights into Hamburg’s thriving mobility landscape through this amazing event, which is co-organized by Hamburg Invest. Participation is free of charge—to read more and register, please refer to our Top News section. 

Last week, we had the pleasure of visiting Bürkert Fluid Control Systems / Burkert Taiwan Ltd. at their office. It was a productive meeting exploring exciting collaboration opportunities, and we’re looking forward to building a strong partnership with Bürkert Taiwan! Read more about this meeting in our GTO News Section!

We’re also excited to introduce some new faces in our office. Please welcome Nico, our Market Entry Senior Manager; Sinan, Senior Manager for German Business Alliance, Events, and Investment Promotion; and Bianca, our intern supporting Events, Delegations, and Governmental Affairs. You can meet them all in our GTO News. 

Speaking of our team and new faces, if you’re eager to join us, we’re currently seeking a new Receptionist / Office Assistant! We’re looking for a motivated, reliable, and friendly personality to be the first point of contact for our visitors and clients. This is a great opportunity to be part of a multicultural team and enjoy career development. If you’re ready to bring your enthusiasm to our office, go to our GTO News section and find out how to apply!

Wishing you a productive and inspiring week ahead!
Kind regards,

Shaping the Future of Europe’s Mobility in Hamburg - Opportunities for Market Expansion and Investment for Taiwanese Companies

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Time: 16:00 - 17:30 (Taiwan Time)
Platform: Microsoft Teams
Fee: Free of charge
Language: English


Registration

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

Shaping the Future of Europe’s Mobility in Hamburg - Opportunities for Market Expansion and Investment for Taiwanese Companies
05.11.2024 | Platform: Microsoft Teams

2024 German Christmas Market
29.11.2024 - 01.12.2024 | Location: Taipei

2024 German Christmasland in New Taipei City
06.12.2024 - 08.12.2024 | Location: New Taipei City

Last week, we had a fantastic meeting with Bürkert Fluid Control Systems / Burkert Taiwan Ltd. at their office. Joining this productive meeting were Ms. Linda Blechert, General Manager of our service unit DEinternational Taiwan Ltd, Mr. Pin-Chao Huang, Senior Project Manager Trade Fair Services, and Ms. Astrid Lien, Marketing Coordinator from Bürkert Taiwan.

Bürkert, a prestigious German family-run company, excels in measurement and control technology for fluids and gases across various industrial automation applications. In Taiwan, their focus spans the food and beverage, pharmaceutical production, and semiconductor industries. 

The engaging discussions centered around potential collaboration and the exciting opportunities ahead. We eagerly anticipate a successful partnership with Bürkert Taiwan! 

Nico holds a double degree in international management from ESB Business School and the UIBE in Beijing and completed a master’s in Modern East Asian Studies at the University of Duisburg-Essen. His professional background lies in e-commerce consulting, with experience at eTOC and WongDoody. In Taipei, Nico managed international clients, developed cross-border e-commerce strategies for platforms like Tmall, created market-entry reports, and managed UI/UX design projects.

Nico first came to Taiwan during the pandemic for an internship at oddity Asia while finishing his studies remotely. After his master’s degree, he continued his journey at oddity Asia, and he’s excited to keep building bridges between Asia and Germany.

What does he love about Taiwan? The convenient lifestyle, amazing food from across Asia, and the perfect mix of big city buzz and wild nature. Fun fact: Nico once ran all 2,046 steps to the top of Taipei 101!

At the German Trade Office (AHK), Nico is looking forward to delegation visits and gaining insights across various industries.

We’re excited to have Nico on board—welcome to the team!

Sinan studied Film Studies at Kingston University in London and Freie Universität Berlin. His professional background spans several years in Berlin, working as a producer and production manager for documentary films and contributing to various cultural and arts projects. 

Sinan first traveled to Taiwan in 2017, inspired by Taiwanese cinema and eager to experience the country himself. In 2021, he returned on a Mandarin language scholarship, and after completing his studies, he decided to stay. In 2024, he made the move to Taipei—and we're lucky to have him join the German Trade Office Taipei (AHK Taiwan)! What does he love most about Taiwan? Being close to nature and the unbeatable convenience of 24/7 stores. At our office, Sinan is excited to work with a fantastic team and meet fascinating people from different industries. 

Welcome to the team, Sinan! We're thrilled to have you on board!

Meet our New Events, Delegations, and Governmental Affairs Intern, Bianca Ye!

Bianca is currently studying Business Administration at FH Aachen in Germany. With her mother being from Taiwan and family still here, Bianca visits the island at least once a year. Her goal is to work for a company that connects Germany and Taiwan, so this internship is a perfect opportunity to gain insight into international cooperation. Bianca’s favorite things about the island? The delicious food and the incredibly friendly people! When she’s not working in our team, she enjoys cooking and baking at home and loves trying out new recipes.

Over the next four months, Bianca will be supporting our Business Alliance Team, contributing to research, help organize key events, prepare delegation and company visits, and process inquiries from both German and Taiwanese companies. She’s excited to meet new people, expand her network, and learn more about German-Taiwanese collaboration.

We’re thrilled to have Bianca with us—welcome to the team!

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)

Did you know? The Asian travel market is set to grow by more than 5% from 2024 to 2028, with the hotel industry expected to hit a massive $116 billion in revenue next year! By 2028, a customer base of up to 620 million will make China, Hong Kong, and India the top three travel destinations in Asia.

If you're interested in knowing more about the latest trends in tourism, mark your calendar for ITB Asia 2024 in Singapore! From October 23 to 25, this premier trade show is the place to be—shaping the future of travel in Asia. Industry pros from around the world will share insights, discover cutting-edge travel solutions, and collaborate to craft unforgettable experiences. We're excited to be part of it, highlighting Taiwan’s beauty. With 24,000 attendees expected, 17 thematic tracks, and over 35,000 business appointments in 2023, ITB Asia is the ultimate platform for building global partnerships.

Excited to attend? We’re offering a 20% discount voucher for ITB ASIA 2024 tickets! Contact Ms. Peng to grab your special offer.

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.

MR, the world market leader in energy technology, is looking for a Team Assistant to join their team in Taipei! In this role, you'll contribute to keeping the energy supply stable for the future, supporting sales, service, HR, and finance while helping maintain office operations and organizing events. This is an opportunity to be part of a global team of 3,800 passionate colleagues, driving the energy transition with MR’s smart digital and analog solutions.

The ideal candidate should have:

• 3-5 years’ experience in an office setting, ideally in an international company.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (SAP experience is a plus).
• Strong communication skills in English and the local language.

Interested in shaping the future of energy with MR?

Click here to read more about this position on their website.

TASTI (Taiwan International Assembly of Space Science, Technology, and Industry), APAS (Asia-Pacific Remote Sensing), and IWSCFF 2024 (International Workshop on Satellite Constellations and Formation Flying) will take place from November 30 to December 4, 2024, at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center in Taiwan. TASTI will host forums and exhibitions to promote exchange among international organizations, research institutions, and companies, enhancing opportunities for business matchmaking and collaboration.

APAS 2024 (Asia-Pacific Remote Sensing) will focus on the use of remote sensing data to foster cooperation between industry, academia, and research institutions, exploring the latest applications and technologies. IWSCFF 2024 (International Workshop on Satellite Constellations and Formation Flying) will address challenges and solutions related to satellite constellations and formation flying.

In 2023, the event featured over 200 forums, posters, and presentations, drew more than 2,000 visitors from 30 countries, and hosted 42 international enterprises. This year, participation is expected to surpass 5,000, including over 500 international attendees. Key themes will include space policy and law, AI in space, moon exploration, space security, women in space, GNSS-based applications, and formation flying.

TASTI, APAS, and IWSCFF 2024 will provide a unique platform for professionals across sectors to explore cutting-edge advancements in space science and technology.

To read more about this exciting science event, go to their website.

New Credit Controls Aim to Cool Housing Market

Nominal Earnings Growth in Taiwan Hits 10-Year High

Average monthly earnings in Taiwan rose 4.27% year-on-year in the first eight months of 2024, the highest growth in a decade, according to DGBAS. Earnings, including bonuses and overtime, averaged NT$63,261 (US$1,967) before inflation adjustment. Regular wages increased 2.66% to NT$46,331, while inflation-adjusted earnings rose 1.92%, with real regular wages up 0.35%. Median regular wages reached NT$37,161, a 3.33% increase, and grew 1.00% after inflation. DGBAS official Tan Wen-ling attributed the rise in real earnings to higher bonuses, as employers sought to retain talent amid better profits.  

The financial and insurance sector saw the largest gains, with regular wages up 6.23% and total earnings increasing 11.49%. Other sectors, including manufacturing and electronics, also reported strong growth.

(Last access: 21.10.2024 / Focus Taiwan)

Cathay Financial Taiwan Eyes 100% Renewable Energy by 2030

Cathay Financial Holdings aims to power all its Taiwan locations with 100% renewable energy by 2030, General Manager Li Chang-keng said on October 18. Speaking at the Taiwan Climate Action Expo, Li acknowledged the shift would cost hundreds of millions but emphasized the company’s role as a pioneer to encourage others to adopt green energy.  

Globally, the company plans to achieve 100% renewable energy use by 2050. Li highlighted the growing energy demands of generative AI and said Cathay Financial aims to follow companies like Google and Amazon in improving energy efficiency. Cathay Financial also plans to reduce carbon emissions through investment agreements. Despite progress with high-emission industries, Li said the company would continue lending to support their net-zero transition.  

With 700 branches and nearly 30,000 employees, Cathay Financial offers services in insurance, banking, and securities.

(Last access: 21.10.2024 / Taiwan News)

TSMC Plans More European Expansion for AI Chips  

TSMC is planning additional plants in Europe, focusing on AI chips, said NSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wen.  “They’ve started building the first fab in Dresden and are planning more for other sectors,” Wu told Bloomberg TV, without providing a timeline.  

TSMC, which recently began a €10 billion fab in Dresden, aims to start production by 2027. AI chips for Nvidia and AMD are key to its strategy, with further European expansion under consideration. The Czech Republic may attract TSMC suppliers, supported by stronger Taiwan-Czech ties and joint R&D efforts.  

Wu also noted pressure on Taiwanese chipmakers to expand in the US, where TSMC has pledged $65 billion for new plants.