Taiwanese companies are interested in Israeli life sciences technologies presented at a seminar held in Taiwan. Israel Economic and Cultural Office to Taiwan director of economic affairs Hovav Ref said participants at the seminar were very interested in developments in Israel.
Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs cosponsored the seminar. Ref said that its purpose was to market the Bio-Tech Israel 2005, National Biotechnology Week: Conference & Exhibition, which will be held in May, and to promote Israeli-Taiwanese cooperation in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
30 representatives of Taiwanese manufacturers, distributors, investment groups, research institutes, and organizations attended the seminar. They were shown Israel's life sciences industry, aid and support programs that Israel offers foreign investors and life sciences companies, and Israel's competitive advantages in the field.
At the seminar, Given Imaging VP regulatory and medical affairs Shoshana (Shosh) Friedman presented the company's activities as an Israeli success story in the industry.
Israeli-Taiwanese trade exceeded $1 billion in 2004 for the first time, to reach $1.12 billion. Israeli exports to Taiwan rose by 95% to $559 million. Exports of medical devices and equipment rose by 130%, constituting 31% of total exports to Taiwan, and exports of machinery and mechanical equipment rose by 95%, accounting for half of total exports.
Israeli imports from Taiwan rose by 33% to $561 million.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on March 31, 2005