MEET TAIWAN: Open Arms, Open Minds and Open Possibilities!

Ad. by Bureau of Foreign Trade, MOEA

The MEET TAIWAN programme, launched by the Bureau of International Trade of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, adopted the slogan "Open Arms" this year, welcoming international business people with open arms and aiming to open new ideas and possibilities for Taiwan's abundant and diverse resources and MICE environment!

Taiwan has repeatedly achieved excellent results in international competitions and received international recognition. In 2021, Taiwan was ranked 6th in the world for economic freedom and 3rd in Asia for the world's best investment talents, as well as the most suitable destination for expatriates. In 2022, Taiwan ranked 7th in the comprehensive evaluation of Enterprise Effectiveness, Infrastructure Construction, Government Effectiveness and Economic Performance. With its excellent international performance, Taiwan welcomes you with open arms!

Kaohsiung Exhibition Center

Open Arms

This year, Taiwan is ready to host many MICE events with open arms, such as COMPUTEX Taipei 2023, which is the second largest event of its kind in the world and the largest in Asia, with more than 3,000 booths; and the same for the world's second-largest, SEMICON Taiwan 2023. The 5th World Baseball Classic, World News Media Congress 2023 (WNMC23), the 35th Conference of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology, and many other MICE events will take place in Taiwan.

Two years ago, Taiwan started planning for the upgrade and construction of Taiwan's MICE software and hardware, including venues such as the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, which is Taiwan's first national-level smart MICE venue featuring a 5G private network. Also, International Convention Center Tainan and the newly completed Taoyuan Convention and Exhibition Center both opened this year. The Taichung International Exhibition Center is expected to be completed in 2025. With such upgrades and facilities, matched with Taiwan's outstanding economic and trade performance, rich cultures, professional MICE resources, and enthusiastic people, Taiwan is ready.

Taiwan welcomes you with open arms!

International Convention Center Tainan | Credit: KING SHIH ARCHITECTS | Photo: Ivan Chuang

Open Minds

Taiwan not only welcomes MICE business people with open arms, but also have an open mind and are up to date with the most advanced global trends and concepts. The MEET TAIWAN programme and The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) jointly published the 2022 Taiwan MICE Sustainability White Paper, demonstrating Taiwan’s determination to promote sustainable MICE events and lead the MICE industry towards net zero carbon emissions.

2023 is a year of practice, and the MEET TAIWAN programme calls on MICE players to join the ranks of sustainable MICE with three major aspects:

1. Evaluation and counseling: Establish an exclusive carbon emission calculation formula and carbon reduction evaluation system for the MICE industry, assist the industry with self-assessment, and obtain carbon reduction improvement suggestions and ISO carbon reduction international certifications.
2. Voice and action: Launch 100 x 100 campaign that call on 100 MICE stakeholders to carry out 100 sustainable MICE actions, jointly engaging in sustainable MICE. Cynthia Kiang, Director General of the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), and Simon Wang, President & CEO of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), call for a joint response from Taiwan's MICE industry.
3. Encouragement and Glory: The Sustainable MICE Award is established to encourage and affirm enterprises and MICE operators to implement SDG goals and reduce carbon emissions.

In addition, Taiwan is also committed to promoting issues such as gender equality and human rights, advocating friendliness and tolerance, embodying democratic values, and creating a better social environment. Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019. In terms of public associations and organisations, many NGOs in Taiwan are committed to speaking out for the rights and interests of women, children, and ethnic minorities, such as the 2022 Asia Pride Games, and the Women's Association that hosted the 32nd Medical Women's International Association (MWIA) in 2022.

Taiwan welcomes you with open minds!

Taipei City

Open Possibilities

Facing the rapidly changing international situation, Taiwan not only maintains the stability of its economy and trade market, it is also a world-renowned supplier of semiconductors and key components. Taiwan plays a pivotal role in the global supply chain and drives the development of MICE with its strong industry, becoming a top choice for MICE activities.

Taiwan has a safe and secure living environment and a diverse and inclusive society. In addition to pursuing the values of democracy and freedom and a friendly business tourism environment, Taiwan aims to construct an ideal and high-quality MICE environment that encourages business travelers to release their unlimited potential.

The MEET TAIWAN programme provides different subsidies and customised assistance for the promotion, competition, and holding of MICE events in Taiwan. There are also many central and local governments in Taiwan that provide subsidy subventions. The MEET TAIWAN programme serves as the contact window and provides a one-stop service. For details, please refer to www.meettaiwan.com

Taiwan welcomes you with open possibilities!