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Doing business & staying in touch

Taiwan is traditionally Chinese whilst at the same time, westernised. A strong Japanese influence is evident. Taiwan is a functional society, used to dealing with Westerners. A lightweight suit is suitable business wear, shaking hands the usual form of greeting and business cards printed in both Chinese and English should be given and received with two hands.

When addressing people, the family or surname comes first. Punctuality is important and appointments need to be made in advance. Taiwanese are hard working and highly educated. Even if business is being conducted in English, a translator may be necessary. As in all Asian countries, face is important.

Office hours: 

Office hours are Monday to Friday 0900-1700 and Saturday 0900-1200.

Economy: 

Taiwan was one of the first 'tiger economies' of the Pacific basin, enjoying phenomenal growth from the 1950s onwards.

Its success was built on a policy of rapid industrialisation coupled with low overheads and labour costs rather than raw materials, of which there is a dearth. Massive foreign currency reserves accumulated over the years have since helped Taiwan to minimise the effects of turbulence in the world economy.

After a brief recession in 2000/01, the economy is growing at a healthy rate (5.5% in 2007). The performance of the Taiwanese economy is significantly affected by external political and economic conditions, especially in China (PR). In January 2002, Taiwan was admitted to the World Trade Organisation.
There is a wide range of convention facilities, including the vast Taipei World Trade Center Complex which houses the Exhibition Hall, the Grand Hyatt Taipei, the International Trade Building and the Taipei International Convention Center. Hotels offer a comprehensive range of facilities and there are some with seating for 1,000 and over.

GDP: 

US$375.6 billion (2007).

Main exports: 

Computer products, electrical equipment, metals, plastic and rubber products, and chemicals.

Main imports: 

Machinery and electrical equipment, minerals and precision instruments.

Main trading partners: 

Australia, China (PR), Germany, Hong Kong (SAR) and Japan.

Staying in touch in Taiwan

Telephone: 

There is an extensive internal telephone system.

Mobile phone: 

Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies.

Internet: 

Internet cafés provide public access to Internet and e-mail services.

Post: 

Airmail to Western Europe takes up to 10 days.

Press: 

• Daily Chinese-language papers include the United Daily News, the Central Daily News, China Times, Taiwan Daily and Liberty Times.
• English-language dailies include The China Post, Taipei Times and Taiwan News.

Television: 

• Public Television Service (PTS) is the only non-profit public broadcaster.
• Commercial networks include China Television Company (CTV), Chinese Television System (CTS), Taiwan Television Enterprise (TTV) and Formosa Television (FTV).

Radio: 

• Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC) has national and regional networks, while CBS-Radio Taiwan International, the national broadcaster, also beams services to mainland China and the rest of the world with programmes in various languages and Chinese dialects.
• Public Radio System (PRS) is government run and broadcasts travel, weather and social information.
• International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT) is the biggest English-language FM station.

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