33 / 404
33
Taiwan Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association
Valley, biotechnology & healthcare, green technology,
smart machines, defense & aerospace, plus new
agriculture and the circular economy. Take the innovative
industry policy for smart machines as an example: The
MOEA had continually promoted the upgrading and
transformation of the machine industry, and guided
S-team members to introduce industrial automation
and intelligent technology to the manufacturing of
fitness equipment. There was an expectation that
through joint efforts between the government and the
private sector, smart manufacturing could expand and
integrate with the sporting goods industry, leading to
the development of a “smart machines industry.” These
steps take full advantage of Taiwan’s strength inTaiwanese
manufacturing, and enable industries to rapidly escape
the continuing doldrums of the “new mediocre” period.
Looking back at 2015, Taiwan’s sporting goods
exports amounted to US$1.713 billion, of which the
main markets were the U.S., mainland China, and Japan,
while imports amounted to US$699 million. The weak
momentum of the global economy and trade adversely
affected Taiwan’s exports and imports. In order to boost
the strength of Taiwan’s exports, the MOEA has continued
to intensively handle activities to expand marketing and
boost the confidence of exporters in the short-term. From
the beginning of 2016, “marketing expansion”, “capacity
building”, “overseas services”, and “image upgrading”
are new marketing practices used by the MOEA, and
have become a part of its lexicon. Other new marketing
practices include: 1) enlarging the number of buyers
that come to Taiwan for procurement; 2) strengthening
expansion of the new southbound markets; 3) expanding
products for end-consumers; 4) utilizing big data and core
technology for trade in order for the MOEA to analyze
and interpret global trade information to precisely
grasp market opportunities. Such measures can help
manufacturers increase opportunities for orders and drive
the growth of Taiwan’s exports.
I am heartened to know that the Association of
Taiwan’s Sporting Goods Industry has published this
Sporting Goods Yearbook to aid member companies in
expanding trade. Not only does this yearbook provide
the basic information of manufacturersmanufacturers
with basic information, it also improves the introduces
theintroduction of products and services provided by
manufacturers, and can be referenced by domestic and
foreign industries alike. I am confident that this yearbook
will enable entrepreneurs to create more business
opportunities and market products to every corner of the
world.