Great Leap Forward in the Exhibition Industry: Growth of Over 30% in 4 Years

(Taiwan Business News) Wang Chen-fu, chief secretary of the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said yesterday that the output value of Taiwan's exhibition industry is expected to exceed NT$33.8 billion this year.

The "Taiwan MICE Advancement Program," organized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade, will run for four years starting this year and has been entrusted to the Taiwan External Trade Development Council for implementation. Yesterday, the year-end international press conference for the 2013 Taiwan MICE Advancement Program was held at the Taipei International Convention Center.

Wang Chen-fu said that the MICE service industry can not only promote the sales of tangible and intangible goods, but also build an international image.

He further cited the "2012 Asia Exhibition Industry Report" by the International Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), noting that Taiwan ranked second in the growth rate of total exhibition sales area from 2008 to 2012, with a growth rate of 33.6%, showing that Taiwan's exhibition industry is taking off rapidly.

At the same time, Taiwan ranked sixth in Asia in exhibition booth sales area in 2012, hosting a total of 74 exhibitions, a growth of 1.61% compared with 2011.

It is worth noting that Taiwan currently has seven exhibitions that have passed UFI certification.

Wang Chen-fu said that in addition to helping relevant Taiwanese businesses join international organizations and become core members, the Ministry of Economic Affairs also assists private businesses in obtaining international MICE certifications and holds roving briefings on MICE policy. The output value of Taiwan's exhibition industry is expected to exceed NT$33.8 billion this year.

Since the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have already signed a service trade agreement, Wang Chen-fu believes that because Taiwan's exhibition industry still has advantages compared with mainland China, he hopes businesses will integrate and jointly seek business opportunities in the mainland market.

Looking ahead to next year, Yeh Ming-shui, deputy secretary-general of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, pointed out that it will continue to use its four core tasks -- marketing and communication, MICE services, industry research and professional staffing -- as the main framework, and add many innovative practices to increase international visibility.