A green energy procurement meeting kicked off October 2 in Taipei City, opening the door for local firms to stimulate exports and strengthen international tie-ups.
The one-day event, which was commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, attracted 45 major buyers from 12 countries. Around 120 local firms participated in 430 matchmaking sessions, securing more than US$69 million in orders.
Major procurement deals encompassed biomass energy equipment; fuel cells; light-emitting diode, or LED, fixtures; and solar cells and modules, according to meeting organizer Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
TAITRA Chairman Chao Yuen-chuan said the event is part of MOEA efforts to help local firms weather the global economic downturn by connecting them with buyers in Australia, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.
Chao said the recent European sovereign debt crisis is taking a toll on Taiwan’s exports of green energy products and services as Western governments slash or even stop subsidies in this sector.
“But opportunities abound in Asia and emerging markets,” the chairman said, citing plans to replace nuclear energy with renewable power in Japan; offers of preferential loans to businesses utilizing green technology in Malaysia; and the ban on incandescent lamps announced by Australia and UAE.
“These policies will create tremendous development opportunities for Taiwan’s businesses going forward,” he added.
