MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
After the Easter break, here comes the Budget 2018, as the Treasurer Scott Morrison said “Our economy will shape the choices and opportunities for the Australians over the next ten years. That’s why this year’s Budget will focus on making our economy stronger”.
According to the Natixis Asia Research [https://apac.cib.natixis.com/] the trade war between the two giants the USA and China has yet to create an impact on Taiwan’s economy. Solid export and consumption demand have continued to support growth. Most important of all, the hithertoo lacklustre investment trend is recovering. The main driving forces together show Taiwan’s economic growth could accelerate further despite storms in the international environment in the first quarter of 2018.
BRISBANE, SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE
Brisbane — Business Luncheon — another successful Queensland event
Warm thanks to our sponsors, ClarkeKann Lawyers and Host: Mr John Toigo, Chairman ATBC
ATBC and ClarkeKann Lawyers’ Luncheon on Friday 2nd March 2018
ClarkeKann Lawyers — Level 7, 300 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Our guest of Honour and Speaker — Ms Virginia Greville, Chief Executive Officer, Trade & Investment Queensland (TIQ)
Sydney — ATBC’s 2018 Annual General Meeting
Macquarie Group will host the 2018 ATBC’s Annual General Meeting and AGM Boardroom Luncheon at its Sydney head office on Friday 27th July 2018. Do make a note of the date now and I look forward to seeing everyone at Macquarie Group.
Canberra — Bilateral Economic Consultations
In Canberra, the 2018 Bilateral Economic Consultations (BEC) between the Australian and Taiwan governments will be held in Canberra on Tuesday 18th September 2018. If you have any suggestions concerning business issues we should put to the two governments, please do email me by 1st September 2018 and I’ll include them as part our BEC submission. It’s the best opportunity we have each year to make our views known to the two governments and to influence the development of trade and foreign policy.
Melbourne — Face to Face with Vice Minister Wang Mei-Hua, Ministry of Economic Affaire, Taiwan, ROC
In Melbourne, ANZ and ATBC will co-host a business lunch on Wednesday 19th September 2018 with Vice Minister Wang as Guest of Honour and Guest Speaker. Seats are limited. Free for financial members of the ATBC. The details will be advised shortly.
TAIWAN
The 32nd of Joint Conference of ROC-Australia and Australia-Taiwan Business Councils (ROCABC & ATBC)
Our 32nd Joint Conference will be held on 30–31 August 2018 at the Far Eastern Hotel Taipei, Taiwan — back-to-back with the 23rd Australia-Taiwan Joint Energy and Minerals, Trade and Investment Cooperation Consultations (JEMTIC), 28–30 August 2018 (Venue to be confirmed). The 32nd Joint Conference registration will be open from Monday 28th May 2018. Please check the ATBC website for more details then.
Activities in March in Taiwan
Chairman Toigo and I met with the ROCABC’s Chairman Mr Yang Wei-fuu 楊偉甫, Chairman of Taiwan Power Corporation, the host of the 32nd Joint Conference. He asked us to convey warm greetings to ATBC members and friends and to encourage everyone to come to Taipei late August to attend the 32nd Joint Conference.
We also paid the curtsy calls on the Australian Representative at the Australia Office Taipei, Mr Gary Cowan and Senior Trade Commissioner Taipei, Ms Eliza Chui; Ms Jennifer Wong, Senior VP/Group Operations Officer, Taiwan Cement; Chairman Dr Tai Chein of CPC Corporation.
Australian Food Promotion in Taipei — 13 to 14 March 2018 at The Grand Mayfull Taipei Hotel
It was well organised by Austrade Taipei to showcase premium food and beverages from Australian suppliers and Taiwanese food importers for business matching activities.
WORTH A MENTION
New Board Member
Welcome on board, Ms Katie Brassil, Executive General Manager External Affairs, Centennial Coal Company Limited. It’s great to have her and specially from the resources sector.
Business Luncheon in Taipei
On 13th March, Chairman Mr Henry Kao of CIECA and I-Mei Foods hosted a lunch in honour Mr Gary Cowan formally welcoming him to Taiwan and Mr Ross Maddock OAM, Chairman Emeritus for his contributions to Taiwan-Australia relations amongst other VIPs.
Alice Tsou, Member of our National Committee 2018
Well done Alice for her new book “Best Memo QLD”, now the №1 travel book, best selling chart on www.book.com.tw and №2 on weekly travel book best selling chart!
Weatherzone https://www.weatherzone.com.au/
The following good news was supplied by our valued member Weatherzone. Congratulations Mark Hardy!
Weatherzone (Australia) and WeatherRisk Inc. (Taiwan) created a JV business in July 2017 called Shan Dian Tech. The business focuses on timely and accurate lightning detection and associated alerts and forecasts.
In Australia Weatherzone operates a national lightning detection network that serves many industries the majors ones being energy, aviation, ports, mining, construction and telecommunications. Clients include Qantas, Bureau of Meteorology, BHP and AGL.
After a successful launch event in July, Shan Dian Tech quickly built a strong level of interest from many of Taiwan’s major corporations and government departments. On this list was the Taiwan Air Force who were very impressed with the detail, accuracy and timeliness of the product. Weatherzone were awarded the contract in October last year and services commenced on 1st January 2018.
In mid-April we were awarded our 2nd contract to supply services to Taipei MRT. This gives MRT hazardous weather alerts for the Maokong Gondola, MRT’s depots and above ground lines. This service commenced 1st May.
The ShanDian product provides the Air Force and Taipei MRT with all the information they need to ensure safe and efficient operations during stormy weather.
All interest at the moment lies with offshore wind energy and the recent announcement in Taiwan of the winners of the 1st round of the wind farm auctions. Weatherzone in Australia is very experienced in marine services and is talking with several project stakeholders in Taiwan to provide a range of weather solutions for offshore wind farm planning and construction. It’s likely we will see many Australian companies engaged in all facets of this massive renewable energy initiative as it proceeds over the next decade.
Our team on the ground at WeatherRisk in Taipei have done an excellent job raising awareness of this new service and identifying those who need it most. We look forward to bring on many more Taiwanese clients as the spring thunderstorm season continues over coming months.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome Bank of Taiwan, Sydney Branch to membership of the ATBC.
Warm regards,
Ching-Mei Tuan
CEO
10th May 2018