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Taiwan

Overview

Taiwan is Australia's 12th largest merchandise trading partner and Queensland's fifth-largest export market. In 2009-10, Queensland's merchandise exports to Taiwan were valued at A$2.46 billion, representing 5.7 per cent of Queensland's total merchandise exports and 35.9 per cent of Australia's total exports to Taiwan. Major Queensland export items included coal, coke and briquettes, non-ferrous metals, animal feed, meat and meat preparations.

Taiwan is an important market for Queensland's tourism, attracting over 46,000 tourists in 2010. Taiwanese visitors spend an average of A$2,653; higher than the average of all other visitors to Queensland (A$1,846).

Taiwan is the state's sixth-largest student recruitment market with over 3,975 student enrolments in 2010. Taiwan is also a popular source of Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) to Queensland with about 6,923 young Taiwanese people having joined this program in 2009/10 and over 35 per cent of them staying in Queensland.

Brisbane is a preferred destination for Taiwanese migrants, with 40 per cent of all migrants from Taiwan to Australia settling in Brisbane.

There are three sister-city relationships established between cities in Queensland and cities in Taiwan including, Kaohsiung - a sister with the city of Brisbane since 1994, Taipei - a sister city with the Gold Coast since 1982 and Tainan - a sister city with the city of the Gold Coast since 1982.

Areas with export potential for Queensland include but are not limited to:

  • food, beverages and agribusiness
  • biotechnology and medical devices
  • education and occupational training including aviation training
  • environment and cleantech products and services
  • marine technologies
  • Architectural design, creative services and consultancies
  • ICT and digital content
  • infrastructure and building materials.

New and emerging opportunities exist in six sectors promoted by the Taiwanese government:

  1. biotechnology
  2. green energy
  3. travel and tourism
  4. medical care
  5. high-end agriculture
  6. cultural and creative industries.

Taiwan is not only an important market for Queensland firms but also an important springboard for businesses into mainland China. With the implementation of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between Taiwan and mainland China on 1 January 2011, and improved trade and investment relationships with mainland China, Taiwan will become an increasingly important conduit into the global Chinese speaking markets via higher-end value adding in Taiwan before exporting into the mainland Chinese market and beyond. The signing of the ECFA is a milestone in the transformation of economic relationships between Taiwan and China that may benefit Queensland businesses.

Trade and Investment Queensland representation

Trade and Investment Queensland Taiwanis situated in Taipei, providing export advice, market information and in-market assistance to Queensland businesses.

In addition, our overseas market development teams based in Brisbane work closely with export advisers throughout Queensland and overseas, enhancing opportunities to help build the export capability of Queensland firms and help drive export growth and attract inward investment to Queensland.

Queensland China Council

Established in 1988, the Queensland China Council (QCC) is a voluntary, advisory body offering independent advice to the Queensland Government, through Trade and Investment Queensland, on trade, investment, education and cultural relations between Queensland and China.

The QCC meets quarterly and is currently comprised of 12 members drawn from a range of sectors including:

  • business
  • education and training
  • tourism
  • multicultural and community liaison
  • academia.

Publications

Trade and Investment Queensland has a range of publications that provide more detailed information about export opportunities in Taiwan.

More information

For more information about how we can help you export to Taiwan contact Trade and Investment Queensland.

Our calendar of events and export training provides information about export and trade activities for Taiwan and other markets.

Last reviewed 29 July 2011