Taiwan
Overview
Taiwan's government is dedicated to industrial development, a strong work ethic, and the successful promotion of foreign investment
The country has one of the highest growth rates in the world.
Economy concentrates on exports, labor-intensive industries, and high tech industries.
Recent growth rate has slowed, with companies moving offshore to lower cost production facilities.
Taiwan has relied heavily on foreign trade as the driving force behind its rapid economic development, with the US being its largest trading partner.
Uneasy relationship with mainland China is always a concern.
Opportunities:
air conditioning and refrigeration equipment
automobiles
building supplies
computer hardware, software and peripherals
electronic components
engineering plastics
household consumer goods
industrial organic chemicals
industrial process controls
integrated circuits
laboratory scientific instruments
medical equipment and supplies
pollution control equipment
semiconductor manufacturing equipment
telecommunications equipment
Marketing Tips
Taiwan is well known as an industrial. More recent booming domestic market.
Large import market
Affluent consumers can afford high quality and relatively high prices of North American and European consumer goods.
Taiwan is a land of small businesses and traders who import from all over the world, especially the US.
Taiwan agents and distributors strongly prefer joint ventures or full- partnership relationships.
Consumers are extremely brand conscious
Direct marketing is rare; franchising is new.
Trade show participation shows is important to new product introduction.
Business Culture
Handshakes are the accepted greeting
Upon meeting someone, Taiwanese lower their eyes as a sign or respect.
Staring might make them uncomfortable.
Face is also crucial to Taiwanese; an employee's face represents the company's face.
Taiwanese businessmen are known as practical and shrewd; trade is viewed as essential to Taiwan's survival.
Work is a highly prized virtue.
DO's
DON'T's
Be aware of the importance of face.
Be aware of all favors done for you and respond in kind.
Business relationships are personal relationships.
Don't make fun of someone.
Avoid mentioning China.
Do not bring up the polluted.
Taiwanese environment.
Legal Environment:
Taiwan is a civil code country, with its laws based on Germanic legal tradition.
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