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ON LOCATION Destination Taiwan 54 MAY-JUN 2018 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM Taiwan has been consistently ranked among the most powerful economies of the world, and is also recognised as having one of the most entrepreneur- friendly ecosystems. For enterprises thirsting for growth, especially in Asia, Taiwan is the watering hole. "Taiwan is currently focusing on ve core innovative industries: Green energy, biotechnology, smart machinery, national defence, and the Asian Silicon Valley," says Walter Yeh, president, Taiwan The prime example is Kaohsiung, a rising star in the MICE industry. The port city recently won the right to host the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) 2020 Congress on its very rst try, and is accelerating its transformation into a world-class destination with developments like the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), green spaces, and a new light rail system. Taiwan's central city of Taichung will also get a new conference centre, the Shuinan International Convention and Exhibition Center, in 2021. "Taiwan's southern companies will also receive proper development assistance from the government for further destination marketing plans, including promotion of those cities as incentive travel destinations," adds Yeh. External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). "This will create more demand for conferences and exhibitions to help these ve strategic industries with acquiring new technology, professionals, and trade promotion." TAITRA is a major driving force behind Taiwan's world-class trade exhibitions – as many as 35 in 2016. Thanks to campaigns supporting the country's New Southbound Policy, which aims to strengthen ties with South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australiasia, TAITRA's MICE promotion arm MEET Taiwan also reported a 148% increase in the number of ASEAN and South Asian corporate meetings and incentive trips to Taiwan. Next-generation appeal In recent years, foreign businesses and tourists alike have been looking to break new ground beyond Taipei. Recognising this trend, Taiwan is accelerating the transformation of several cities into world-class destinations. Taiwan looks beyond Taipei and conventional industries to spur MICE activity. WORDS BROOKE THIO Dare to innovate "Taiwan is currently focusing on ... focusing on ... Green energy, biotechnology, smart machinery, national defence, and the Asian Silicon Valley." WALTER YEH, PRESIDENT, TAITRA PRESIDENT, TAITRA A GATEWAY TO ASIA • 122 cities with non- stop flights to Taoyuan International Airport, including Frankfurt, Singapore, Sydney, New York, and Dubai • 2 hours is all it takes to travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung in the south using the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR). A trip from Taipei to Taichung takes around 1 hour. Kaohsiung Exhibition Center.