Creative expo showcases Taiwan’s soft power

2016/04/22

2016 Creative Expo Taiwan kicked off April 20 in Taipei City, spearheading development of the country’s cultural and creative industry while thrusting the local spirit of innovation into the global spotlight.

Staged concurrently at Huashan 1914 Creative Park, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, and Taipei Expo Park, the annual five-day expo showcases the latest offerings by 697 exhibitors from 20 countries and territories. More than 200,000 visitors are expected to take part in the largest industry trading platform of its kind in Taiwan.

Inaugurated in 2010, the annual expo plays a key role in the strategic promotion of Taiwan’s cultural and creative industry by the Ministry of Culture. Another function of the event is matching local designers and product suppliers with more than 2,500 buyers from home and abroad. It is projected that more than NT$400 million (US$12.4 million) in business will be generated.

“The expo provides the best opportunity for the 62,000-plus local firms in the industry to market their products and services, given that 85 percent of them are microbusinesses,” a MOC official said, adding that latest statistics show industry revenues totaled NT$794.5 billion in 2014, up 1.8 percent from the year before.

The major attraction at main exhibition venue Huashan is a pavilion designed by renowned Taiwan artist Chen Jun-liang. Themed Savoring the Rich Eastern Culture, it boasts a display of ornate tea caddies and more than 100 varieties of home grown teas. This offers show-goers a revealing look at the country’s unique tea culture.

Other highlights include a cultural and creative forum on the latest business trends and market developments, as well as an exhibition featuring works by 100 emerging local and foreign artists. The latter is anticipated as laying the foundation for the exchange of design concepts and inspiring creative ideas.

By assisting local talents turning their ingenuity into marketable products, the expo is helping expand the global reach of Taiwan brands. This is key to strengthening the cultural and creative industry and boosting its effectiveness as a conduit for Taiwan’s soft power.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=244027&ctNode=2194&mp=9)