The delegation will make the trip at the invitation of Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), which arranges the trip to help local FPD suppliers capitalize on the craze of China's "home appliances for rural areas program."

 

Walter Yeh, deputy secretary general of TAITRA, pointed out yesterday (April 23) that following the Chinese delegation, TAITRA will further invite representatives of over 50 major foreign home-appliance firms, such as HP and Toshiba, to come to Taiwan in June, for procuring FDP and optoelectronic components and parts, with the two delegations expected to bring over US$100 million worth of business opportunity. The events are prelude to the FPD fair "Display Taiwan" in June.

 

During their stay in Taiwan, Chinese delegates will engage in face-to-face talks with representatives of local FPD firms in trade-talk sessions and will also visit local FPD factories.

 

China's "home appliances for rural areas" program has greatly stimulated demand for Taiwan-made FPD by its LCD (liquid crystal display) TV makers and is expected to enhance the shipment of Taiwan-made FPD by over 30% this year. Peng Shuang-lang, executive vie president of AU Optronics reported yesterday that thanks to the effect of the "home appliances for rural areas" program, the company's shipment of TV FPD to China will double or triple the 2008 level this year.

 

Since Chinese government announced purchases of US$2.1 billion worth of Taiwan-made FPD, Taiwanese FPD makers have been able to develop closer supplying relationship with Chinese LCD TV makers, whose output could top 22-23 million this year, thanks to the stimulating effect of the "home appliances for rural areas" program. Chinese LCD TV makers prefer Taiwanese FPD suppliers over Korean ones, since the latter also mostly turn out branded LCD TVs, leading to a conflict of interest.