“Islands of Opportunities: Prospects for Expanding Trade and Investment between Taiwan and Australia”
is the Theme of 32nd Joint Conference of ATBC and ROCABC to be held at the Far Eastern Shangri-La Taipei 30–31 August 2018. Registration will be closed on Wednesday 22nd August 2018!
Despite the rising tide of protectionism in some countries, Taiwan sustained a resilient export growth of 11.2% in Q2 2018. Although the direct contribution of exports to China has fell, there was a big jump in exports to Hong Kong, possibly due to the US China trade war. Overall, though, export growth into Greater China remained flat while other markets continued to expand, especially ASEAN and Europe. Inflows of ASEAN tourists offset the reduction from Chinese tourists. However, the fading base effect will make trade conditions more challenging in fiscal year second half 2018. As far as domestic demand is concerned, consumption remained solid, but investment was weaker than expected. Diversification has helped Taiwan to thrive for another quarter, but a stronger investment push is needed [Source: Natixis Asia Research].
SYDNEY, BRISBANE, AND MELBOURNE
Sydney
ATBC lunch in honour of Mr David Landers, Former General Manager — Global Markets, Austrade — Wednesday 9th May 2018
Like former Austrade CEO, Mr Bruce Gosper, Mr David Landers was consistently very supportive of ATBC; even as he was leaving Austrade, David gave us a great helping hand with sponsorship. We hosted a small farewell lunch for him to show our appreciation. He said to me that ATBC is “the most dignified bi-lateral business council” with which he ever dealt!
ATBC Luncheon with Taiwan Banks in Sydney — Wednesday 6th June 2018
Chairman Toigo and I hosted a lunch for representatives of six Taiwan banks’ Sydney, as well as Taipower Bengalla Pty Ltd and China Airlines Ltd. It was a great way to get to know them and to tell them more about ATBC. We are pleased to have five Taiwan banks as the members and I am working to persuade more of the nine Taiwan banks now operating in Australia to join the ATBC family soon.
ATBC Newcastle Dinner — Thursday 21st June 2018
After the success of the 31st Joint Conference of ATBC and ROCABC at Newcastle 14–16 September 2017, ATBC recognised the great support from business and other organisations in the Newcastle Hunter Region. One possibility is to take advantage of the momentum with have with Newcastle Hunter and keep open the possibility of holding the 33rd Joint Conference, late 2019, in the Newcastle or Hunter areas. ATBC hosted a dinner for Newcastle Hunter Region business leaders on 21st June 2018 at the Newcastle Club.
It was a successful evening, with fifteen people attending, representing Newcastle Hunter and the membership of the ATBC. One outcome with the formation of a small group, let by Mr Geoff Crowe, as a point of contact for ATBC in Newcastle Hunter. Mr Mark Dorney, Vice Chairman of ATBC gave a vote of thanks to everyone and especially to Geoff Crowe.
Geoff’s group will work with us to promote business relations between Taiwan and Newcastle Hunter, in all the sectors, including education, significant for the region.
2018 ATBC Annual General Meeting and Luncheon — Friday 27th July 2018
Macquarie Group hosted the 2018 ATBC’s Annual General Meeting and AGM Boardroom Luncheon at its Sydney head office on Friday 27th July 2018. Ms Katie Brassil gave a vote of thanks to Mr Oliver Lewis and Mr Ryan Chua from Macquarie Capital for hosting us — and to all the speakers who presented at the AGM and, indeed, to all other attendees.
A personal note. Not only is ATBC grateful for Macquarie Group’s great support and splendid hospitality at the AGMs; I am deeply grateful and very impressed by the amazing high standard of professionalism that all the Macquarie Group people involved consistently show in working with us to make our meetings at Macquarie Group and the AGM Luncheon such memorable and, to quote Mr David Landers again, “dignified’ events.
We are pleased at the AGM agreed the following appointments as the ATBC National Committee 2018–19:
Mr Christopher Campbell [Academies Australasia Group]
Mr Anthony Lin [Goodman Lawyers]
Mr Ryan Chua [Macquarie Taiwan]
Mr Tad Watroba [Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd]
Mr Anker Hung [Minatek Pty Ltd]
Mr Peter Chan [ANZ Group Taiwan]
Dr Bill Petreski [Strategy61]
Mr Nick McKay [Macquarie University]
I look forward to working with you all in 2018–19. Thanks to all the National Committee Members (NCM) in the past year for your tireless efforts and specially to Ms Georgina Carnegie and Ms Alice Tsou for their great contribution in the past NCMs.
Brisbane
Chairman Toigo and CEO visited members in Brisbane — 18 to 20 June 2018
Chairman Toigo & I paid visits to some of our members and potential members in Queensland between 18th to 20th June 2018. There were: Brisbane Airport Coperation, Eva Air, Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), New Hope Group, First Commercial Bank of Taiwan, UQ Business School Executive Education, Icon Group, Ihsin Consulting, Baseball Australia and Taishin Bank, Brisbane Branch. The relationships between the Board and individual members are important to us.
ATBC and TAITRA dinner at Tattersall’s Club on Thursday 21st June 2018
While some of us were busy at Newcastle, Chairman Toigo and Mr Anthonly Lin (ATBC National Committee Member) were busy hosting dinner for Vice Chairman Liu Shih-Chung of TAITRA [Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) — equivalent of Austrade].
ATBC and Taishin Bank CEO — Ms Sharon Lin’s visit to Australia on Tuesday 26th June 2018
Chairman Toigo and Chairman Emeritus Maddock caught up with the newish CEO — Ms Sharon Lin and Mr John Chiou, Head of Overseas Business Division, Taishin Bank from Taiwan in Brisbane. ATBC welcomes Ms Lin’s appointment and looks forward to working with her and the team.
E. Sun Bank Brisbane Branch Grand Opening at Hilton Brisbane on Thursday 2nd August 2018
The amazing E. Sun Bank Choir performed at the Grand Opening of its new Brisbane Branch. Chairman Tseng and Founding Chairman Huang must be very proud that it went so smoothly and professionally. More than 200 people attended, including several from ATBC.
Melbourne
On 28–29 June 2018, ATBC was delighted to take part at the 20th Annual Conference of the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in Oceania (TCCO), at Melbourne Sofitel Hotel. Over 150 people attended.
BEC/FTA/ECA
The federal parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) in Sydney — Thursday 2nd August 2018
JSCFADT’s Trade Sub-Committee is undertaking an enquiry into how small and medium sized enterprises make use of — or have trouble making use of — free trade agreements. The Terms of Reference and related details can be found at www.aph.gov.au/jfadt.
The Sub Committee is chaired by Mr Ted O’Brien MP. The Deputy Chair is Mr Graham Perrett MP, a long-term friend of the ATBC. Graham’s electorate includes a very large number of families from Taiwan.
Mr Mark Hardy on behalf of the ATBC attended the Round Table Public Hearing of JSCFADT in Sydney, 2nd August.
The short Hearing was managed by Mr Andrew Dawson, Inquiry Secretary of the JSCFADT with the Chair — Mr Ted O’Brien MP fielding the questions. The Deputy Chair — Mr Graham Perrett MP, was absent for most of the session. Mr O’Brien’s questions were largely directed towards providing examples and experiences of where FTAs can benefit SMEs. Mr Mark Hardy urged Mr O’Brien to pay attention to the ATBC’s written submission to the sub-committee. Mark’s closing remarks were focused on the importance of an FTA with Taiwan to ensure our agricultural exporters do not continue to lose market share to New Zealand competitors.
Bilateral Economic Consultation (BEC) in Canberra — Tuesday 18th September 2018
Each year, the national governments of Australia and Taiwan hold ‘bilateral economic consultations’ (BEC), dealing with policy and practical issues in bilateral trade, investment and other relations. This year, the consultations will be held on Tuesday 18th September 2018 at Canberra.
The federal government invites the ATBC to make a written submission to the annual BECs and to address participants, highlighting ATBC views on problems and opportunities in bilateral relations and including any matters of concern to individual member companies. Most years at least one or two member companies take advantage of this opportunity to have the ATBC speak on their behalf to government.
Should you have any problems or suggestions, or other matters you would like included in our submission and in our talks with senior Australian and Taiwan officials at the BEC, do let me know as soon as possible [by NO LATER THAN Wednesday 22nd August 2018] — even just a few short lines about your issues or suggestions can be included in our submission.
WORTH A MENTION
New Board Member
Welcome on board, Mr Mark Hardy, Founder and Director at Weatherzone. We look forward to working with Mark, a person of enterprising spirit with good understanding of high-tech industries.
Honorary Life Membership
The Board agreed to award the Hon Life Membership to Dr David Chiu for his consistent and great contributions over more than 25 years to the ATBC. The Hon Life Membership have been awarded to the Rt Hon Ian Sinclair AC, Mr John Kean OAM and Mr Ross Maddock OAM for their outstanding contributions to the ATBC.
Appointments of Senior Advisor
The Board and National Committee agreed to appoint Dr David Chiu and Mr Jason Lin as the Senior Advisors of ATBC from 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2020 in recognition of their numerous contributions over many years to the ATBC.
Baseball Australia in Taiwan
One of our new members, Baseball Australia and its team the Brisbane Bandits are doing amazing things in Taiwan!
We look forward to hearing more from Mr Cameron Vale, CEO of Baseball Australia, at the Farewell Dinner of 32nd Joint Conference on Friday 31st August 2018. Baseball Australia is one of the sponsors of the Farewell Dinner.
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome Baseball Australia, Mega International Commercial Bank in Australia, First Commercial Bank, Brisbane Branch and Mr Nick McKay of Macquarie University. Nick is also the newest member of National Committee 2018–19. But he is not new to Taiwan!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Taipei — 32nd Joint Conference of ATBC and ROCABC from 30–31 August 2018 at Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel in Taipei. Please register NOW if you have done so as registration will be closed at the latest on Wednesday 22nd August 2018!
Melbourne — ANZ & ATBC Luncheon — Guest of Honour: Vice Minister Mei-Hua Wang, Ministry of Economic Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) on Wednesday 19th September (FULL!)
Brisbane — ClarkeKann and ATBC Luncheon — Guest of Honour: The Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP Premier of Queensland and Minister for Trade on Tuesday 9th October 2018 (FULL!)
Warm regards,
Ching-Mei Tuan
Chief Executive Officer
15th August 2018