TAIWAN’s trade office said its companies are hoping to bring innovative products to the Philippines via tie-ups with domestic distributors.
“I believe the products we offer and showcase in this event fit the needs of Filipinos, (who) attach high importance to family life. That’s why I’m quite optimistic about the results of this exhibit,” Chang Wen Chong, director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), told reporters during Thursday’s “Wow! Taiwan” exhibit in Makati City.
Mr. Chong said the Philippines has a young and dynamic population that is open to innovative products, including food, cosmetics, fashion, technology, and modern household products from Taiwan.
“They are also interested in Taiwanese culture, as seen in the huge numbers of Filipino visitors flocking to Taiwan. In fact, the Philippines had the most number of arrivals from Southeast Asia in Taiwan last year. Currently, the potential is high in the Filipino market because the younger generation has more disposable income and are open to new and unique products,” he said.
The exhibit was brought to the Philippines by Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Commerce Development Research Institute (CDRI).
Taiwan brands featured in the event were XYZprinting, Inc., Brinno, Inc., HiMirror Mini, Master Mi, Carnation, Yumark, FECA, Kid2Youth, Washcan, Jye Li An, Bung Cheng, Shuter Enterprise Co. Ltd., H&J Food, and Chung-Hsiang Foods.
Tammy Ting, department manager at CDRI, said through the event, Taiwan’s entrepreneurs are aiming for long-term partnerships with local partners while opening their brands to new markets.
She said she hopes that the exhibit will result in “cooperation” between Taiwanese manufacturers and Philippine buyers.
“The outcome will slowly reveal itself as time passes,” she said, when asked about she would quantify the expected outcome of the exhibit.
Among Taiwan’s innovative brands is HiMirror, which is selling a “smart mirror” that uses skin analysis technology that allows it to track progress of treatments, and provide recommendations based on skin condition. It analyzes skin condition through just a photo.
Another brand, Brinno, offers a time-lapse camera that delivers “superior” full high definition HDR (high dynamic range) images. The company started its design business in 2003 and claims to be a first mover in time-lapse photography. Brinno develops hardware and software solutions, and puts them in one digital device. — Victor V. Saulon
