Taiwan to step up ties with India.

Taiwan has sought to increase cooperation with India in areas such as medicines, air quality management, agriculture, education, culture and tourism and these will be the focus areas at the two-day Taiwan Expo that began recently.

“We need to create awareness about Taiwan and what we have to offer in the Indian market. As compared to some of the other countries, Taiwan has been late in entering the Indian market. However, we expect that more Indian and Taiwanese companies will collaborate for mutual benefits in the near future,” said Taiwanese Ambassador Tien Chung-Kwang, representative, Taipei Economic & Cultural Centre, Delhi, while inaugurating the expo.

India officially recognises the ‘One China’ policy and does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. It, however, has allowed Taiwan to open a economic and cultural centre in New Delhi and has also opened one in Taipei.

About 150 exhibitors are participating in the expo which has the followingtheme pavilions excellence, green products, smart living, healthcare, digital commerce, bubble tea, agriculture, tourism and Hsinchu science park biotech hub.

The four areas of focus are education and tourism, ICT product & electrical equipment, medical devices, health and personal care and Taiwan high quality product.

In addition, there will be a host of industry forums like Taiwan-India Medical Cooperation Forum and Air Quality Management and Pollution Control Forum, covering topics such as air pollution control and health care, according to an official release.

India is ranked amongst the high-priority countries in Taiwan’s new South-bound policy that focuses on strengthening ties with 18 South-East and South-Asian countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Australia and New Zealand.

The expo is likely to be attended by about 30,000 visitors and generate business worth $150 million.

HBL