Large Taiwanese delegation attends Rebuild Ukraine Exhibition in Poland

Warsaw, Poland, Nov. 13 (CNA) A delegation of more than 100 representatives of Taiwanese companies is visiting Poland with the aim of seeking business opportunities in the reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine.

The delegation, led by Deputy Economics Minister Cynthia Kiang (江文若), is attending the "Rebuild Ukraine Exhibition" being held in Warsaw from Nov. 13-14.

Kiang said the delegation was sent to Warsaw by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) with the main goal of exploring opportunities to participate in the rebuilding of Ukraine, which shares a border with Poland.

Taiwan will take advantage of Poland's geographic proximity to Ukraine, Kiang told CNA, adding that Warsaw is a gateway to the Ukrainian and European Union markets.

Many of the delegation's 100-plus representatives from Taiwanese companies are very interested in participating in the reconstruction work in Ukraine, while others are seeking business opportunities elsewhere in Europe, she said.

To that end, Taiwan set up a pavilion at the Rebuild Ukraine Exhibition this year for the first time since the trade fair was launched five years ago, according to the MOEA.

The Taiwan Pavilion, the only Asian one at the exhibition, highlights Taiwan's strengths in areas such as machinery and machine tool manufacturing, and its advancements in the fields of energy storage, smart manufacturing, and smart city development, the MOEA said.

Kiang said Taiwan's participation in the exhibition is one of the best ways to show the country's commitment to participating in Ukraine's reconstruction, in addition to displaying its technologies and products on a world stage.

Speaking at the opening of the Taiwan Pavilion, Kiang said Taiwan has built a comprehensive information and communications technology (ICT) cluster and supply chain.

Taiwan's flexibility and ability to tailor its products to the needs of customers are recognized in the global market, which proves its capability to provide reliable and timely assistance to Ukraine in the fields of technology and equipment, she said.

On Wednesday, the MOEA hosted a "Taiwan Night" event at the exhibition, with government officials, lawmakers, and some 200 representatives from enterprises in Taiwan, Poland and Ukraine discussing business opportunities.

In addition to attending the exhibition, the Taiwanese delegation also visited Poland's three primary hubs for its ICT sector -- Łódź, Katowice and Wrocław, known as the Poland ICT triangle -- to gain insights into the country's latest industrial developments and potential.

Kiang said the presence of her delegation, the largest Taiwanese business group ever sent to Poland, was an indication of Taiwan's interest in cooperation with the European country, which hopefully will lead to a reciprocal and virtuous cycle for the two economies.

Taiwan has set its sights on working closely with like-minded democratic countries to build a non-China supply chain and become a trusted partner, she said.

Taiwanese renewable energy companies are hoping to forge close cooperation with their Polish counterparts, while Taiwan's machinery industry, which has adopted artificial intelligence technologies, is interested in participating in Poland's smart manufacturing development, according to Kiang.