Government officials have met at the Cabinet building to discuss ways of reversing falling exports to Southeast Asia.
Taiwanese exports to the region declined in the first half of the year, and the market share of Taiwanese products in the region has hit a bottleneck over the past few years.
At a press conference held after Thursday’s meeting, Bureau of Foreign Trade Director Yang Jen-ni said that falling oil prices and economic downturn in Southeast Asia are behind the decline in exports.
Yang said that the Bureau of Foreign Trade will come up with medium- and long-term strategies to improve Taiwan’s export performance in the region.
Meanwhile, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said that Taiwan might move away from exporting parts and semi-finished goods to exporting finished goods. Mao also said that Taiwanese firms might also enter into joint ventures or OBM relationships with Southeast Asian companies.
Mao said that Taiwanese companies could also choose to enter the Southeast Asian market through cooperation with large trading firms or local companies with large distribution networks.
Mao said that Taiwanese companies should adjust to the Southeast Asian market and meet the needs of Southeast Asian consumers.