By 
By Bahle Gama
Traders and exhibitors are encouraged to attend and exhibit their products at the Food Taipei Trade Show for free.
Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) has partnered with Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) to facilitate the participation of Eswatini-based traders in Food Taipei Mega Shows which is considered one of Asia’s biggest trade shows focusing on food and beverages, fruits and vegetables, meat processing, food technology, packaging, restaurants, and catering.
Food Taipei will take place from June 14 -17 and businesses have until April 12 2023 to apply for the exhibition of their goods at the Expo.
EIPA External Trade Manager Sibusiso Mnisi said the invitation is specifically directed to food and beverage manufacturers, or those who supply related products in Eswatini.
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“The companies need to be export ready and should have products which they will showcase at the expo. We are thankful once again to have TAITRA’s support which will make it possible to send traders to the Taiwan exhibition this year. TAITRA has committed to take 30 local companies for three trade shows, including Food Taipei,” Mnisi said.
Strategy
Mnisi said the invitation to traders is part of a bigger strategy aimed at accomplishing EIPA’s Trade mandate.
“Food Taipei is one of the opportunities we put forward to traders in an attempt to offer them the opportunities they need to expand their export capability. These opportunities present a chance to local traders to penetrate a new client base and to market their brands effectively with potential customers and distributors,” he said.
According to Mnisi, the existence of the Economic Cooperation Agreement (ECA) signed between Eswatini and Taiwan is an added advantage for Eswatini-based businesses as their goods will be exported to Taiwan duty-free should they be fortunate enough to establish a new market for their products.”
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He further disclosed that in October 2023, traders in food and beverages will also apply to join the Kaohsiung, another food and beverage trade show in Taipei.
Mnisi said those who will not qualify for Food Taipei should try their luck for Kaohsiung towards the end of the year and new applications will be considered if space would be available.
Selection Process
“In the past month, EIPA with the support of TAITRA selected 12 traders who will attend a separate trade exhibition, the Giftionery and Culture Creative Show also to be held in Taiwan from 20 to 23 April 2023,” he said.
Mnisi said the traders have gone through a selection process for the goods chosen for the exhibition and TAITRA will sponsor their participation by providing accommodation, transportation, and other support before and during the exhibition.
“We are committed to advancing our trade activity as a nation and we are privileged to have a partner like TAITRA who shares our commitment. We would like to encourage traders to apply and expose themselves so they can learn about the export process through this experience,” said Mnisi.
He also reminded businesses to develop strong sales propositions and focus on the unique selling points of their products, adding that “research on the markets intended for penetration is also vital.”
