The first ever "Taipei Import Fair" generated a feeling that history was being made. For example, for the first time ever the number of flagpoles in front of the Sungshan exhibition hall of the China External Trade Development Council (CETRA) was inadequate to handle all the flags of participating nations. This is a symbol of the success of this exhibition, the largest international exhibition here since the withdrawal of the R.O.C. from the United Nations in 1971.

At the opening ceremonies at the Grand Hotel, delegates from around the world met with R.O.C. trade officials while wrestling with rice noodles and Peking duck with their unfamiliar chopsticks. They exchanged views on trade and development; the lessons of Taiwan's successes and failures naturally were a central topic.

At the same time as the exhibition was a conference on investment opportunities in each country. Commercial representatives introduced their local investment climates, incentives, accompanied by lanternslides. Businessmen in the audience listened and looked over the data sheets they had been given, or took out maps to look into the geographic situations of the various presenting nations. Some came "ready to play," and fired off questions on labor situations, pollution regulations, residency laws, and other relevant areas.

The 350 booths at the exhibition hall presented a panorama of products, from Peruvian handicrafts to Egyptian carpets, Thai furniture, Columbian coffee and Sri Lankan tea and jewels, and trolleys and rapid transit system plans from Hungary-- everything from ethnic specialties to industrial manufactures. The hall was filled with indicators of the growth of these developing nations.

The participants were not on holiday: "We came to do business," said a Brazilian representative. Delegates from each country stretched their skills to work out deals with local business and try to find the keys to unlock the Taiwan market.

Dick Mou, head of the Market Development Department at CETRA, points out that Taiwan is the world's seventeenth largest importer. And since products not only can be sold in Taiwan but also can be transshipped to third countries, those coming to the exhibition were looking at a potential US$200 billion market, of which Taiwan alone constitutes 20 to 25 percent.

"All developing countries are enthusiastic about developing their export industries," says Dick Mou, "and helping them to promote exports and get into the Taiwan market are the main goals of this import fair."

In terms of volume of trade, Taiwan is the world's thirteenth largest trader, and increasingly should take on the responsibilities of an "economic power." In the last couple of years, in order to help balance the trade surplus, the government has lowered customs duties, allowed the currency to appreciate, and adopted other steps to encourage imports, all proving the government's commitment to opening the market. But to move still one step further in returning something to inter national society and to help developing economies grow, it is necessary to take more active measures.

In order to achieve the above goals, CETRA has, over the last three years, undertaken a "regional development plan." First, teams of specialists were sent to important developing nations to hold conferences and generate interest. Second, teams of trade representatives went abroad for substantive trade negotiations. The fair is like step three, in which the network of contacts is brought together.

This kind of program, in which one lays out one's own money to help others make money has been undertaken in the past only by Japan and the Federal Republic of Germany.

In his congratulatory message read at the opening ceremony, President Lee Teng-hui used the phrase, "establishing yourself and then helping others to become established," to describe the significance of the event and to clarify the intent of the R.O.C. to aid developing countries and fulfill its international responsibilities. As a practical matter, given the challenges currently facing the R.O.C. in economics and trade--excessive market concentration and over-accumulation of foreign reserves--it is necessary to find new markets and investment opportunities; this means a need for new partners and a strengthening of bilateral economic relationships.

According to CETRA statistics, the nearly 100 developing countries account for one fourth of world trade; individually small traders, their combined trade exceeds that of the total for the U.S. and Japan put together. The R.O.C. does not have official, and in some cases not even semi- or unofficial, trade relations with many of these nations. They account for only 2.3 percent of R.O.C. trade.

"It gives me a bad feeling," says Dick Mou, "but we've got to think of a way to overcome it." In order for Taiwan products to more easily gain access to these nations, it is necessary to take positive action to prove the R.O.C.'s sincere desire to strengthen both sides of the trade relationship. Mou continues, "These past two years I have been to Egypt twice, Turkey four times, and five times to Pakistan in just one year--and in the past these countries had no economic or trade relations with us at all."

Some cracks are appearing in their walls. The R.O.C. has established an unofficial trade office in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. Egypt has become the R.O.C.'s second largest trading partner in Africa. Originally it was intended to invite only 25 nations to this exhibition; in the end 39 came.

David T.C. Liu, Deputy director of the Exhibition Department at CETRA, said happily that, except for Chile, all of the invited nations came. "We hit a home run." He also noted that the countries attending account for 70 to 80 percent of all developing country trade, and are bound to play important roles in the future.

Thailand, for example, is considered Asia's fifth "NIC" (Newly Industrialized Country), and the R.O.C. is now second only to Japan in investment there. Hungary is the East European country which has progressed fastest on the reform path and could prove an excellent entree to the East European market. Turkey, which has not had official relations with the R.O.C. for 25 years, was represented at the exhibition by two cabinetlevel officials who personally conducted the investment presentation. Having good relations with Middle Eastern nations and a member of the EEC (which is due to go over to the closed unified market in 1992), Turkey could prove an excellent partner for the introduction of R.O.C. products to both markets.

Numbers tell the story: trade agreements completed during the course of the fair totaled US$9.42 million; agreements completed just after totaled US$37.64 million. And behind the numbers lay something with perhaps far greater long-term significance: participants from around the world got a better look at the people and culture of the R.O.C.

Another Taipei Import Fair is scheduled for 1990; we look forward with great expectations.

[Picture Caption]

After the opening ceremonies, Premier Yu Kuo-hwa exchanges greetings with some visitors from abroad. (photo by Li Pei-hui)

This ice carving for the "TIF" (Taipei Import Fair) drew lots of admirers.

Traditional handicrafts at the Peruvian display.

Turkey used charts to illustrate its rapid economic growth in hopes of attracting the investment of R.O.C. business people.

Incredibly realistic artificial flowers lent color to the Thai display.

That Hungary came--the only participant from Eastern Europe--raised a lot of eyebrows.

Pakistan's famous hand-made carpets: absolutely no two patterns are alike.

Though most famous for agricultural and mining products, Malaysia is also not short of advanced industrial machinery.

Egypt had a display of unique wool carpets; because of their beauty and low price, they set off a buying spree among visitors.

The investment discussions gave commercial representatives from each nation the chance to test the waters with local business people.

This ice carving for the "TIF" （Taipei Import Fair） drew lots of admirers.

Traditional handicrafts at the Peruvian display.

Turkey used charts to illustrate its rapid economic growth in hopes of attracting the investment of R.O.C. business people.

Incredibly realistic artificial flowers lent color to the Thai display.

That Hungary came--the only participant from Eastern Europe--raised a lot of eyebrows.

Pakistan's famous hand-made carpets: absolutely no two patterns are alike.

Though most famous for agricultural and mining products, Malaysia is also not short of advanced industrial machinery.

The investment discussions gave commercial representatives from each nation the chance to test the waters with local business people.

Egypt had a display of unique wool carpets; because of their beauty and low price, they set off a buying spree among visitors.