The Economic Department actively promotes trade between the Netherlands and Taiwan by providing information, support and practical advice to Dutch entrepreneurs who want to do business in Taiwan. The Economic Department also provides services for Taiwanese businesses who want to import from the Netherlands.
The Netherlands Office can help you get started on finding a Taiwanese business partner and identifying your markets.
Help with rules and regulations, access to support networks, business partner scans and much more.
Taiwan and the Netherlands are both export-oriented and share over 400 years of trade relations.
Taiwan is about the same size as the Netherlands, with around 23 million citizens a slightly bigger population, and is like the Netherlands an export driven economy. Another similarity with the Netherlands is that over 80 percent of the Taiwanese economy exists of small- and medium-sized companies, and that the majority of the economy consists of services.
Taiwan is one of the ‘Asian tigers’, together with Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea, which successfully underwent the change from agricultural based economies, to manufacturing driven economies, to developed ICT hubs.
Taiwan maintains strong ties with the international business community and is an open economy, where about 40% of all consumer products are imported. Taiwan has been a member of the WTO since 2001, and is the world’s leading supplier of computer chips, responsible for the production of about 90% of the world’s computer chips.
Taiwan welcomes international trade and receives high rankings from the World Bank for its ‘Ease of Doing Business’, because of its strong legal environment with protection of Intellectual Property Rights, highly educated human capital and good business facilities.
Taiwan is a medium-sized market and easily accessible with high levels of disposable income. Due to the similar cultural and linguistic background with mainland China, Taiwan is also the biggest investor in mainland China.
Taiwan has seven major cities: Taipei, New Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan, Taoyuan and Hsinchu. Taipei is the main commercial, political and cultural centre. Kaohsiung is an industrial hub with the biggest port in Taiwan. Taichung, located in the middle of Taiwan, is known as the bicycle capital of the world. Finally, the city of Hsinchu is Taiwan’s high-tech and IT hub with the highest GDP growth in recent years. Tainan, the former capital, is noteworthy in terms of its historical links with the Netherlands, its traditional prowess in agriculture, and developing ICT industry.
The Economic Department is supporting Dutch companies and entrepreneurs actively in exploring and entering the market in Taiwan. We are your first point of contact when going to Taiwan and we can help you with our knowledge about the Taiwanese market and our extensive network of companies, trade associations, and government organizations.
We invite you to contact us with your questions about doing business in Taiwan. To get an idea of our most frequently offered services please see this shortlist:
The staff in the economic department is ready to help you with all your questions about Taiwan. Please contact us at:
Tel. +886-2-8758 7200 ext. 5Dutch companies looking for business partners (agents, distributors, suppliers, or customers in Taiwan) may apply for a business partner scan at Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO NL).
After an intake at the RVO to formulate the profile of a potential partner, the Economic Department of the Netherlands Office will select and contact potential partners for you.
More information about the business partner scan can be found here or by contacting the International Business Advisory Desk of the RVO in the Netherlands at +31 (0) 88 042 42 42 or +31 (0)88 602 8060. You can also send your request by email to klantcontact@rvo.nl or contact the staff at the Ecomomic Department of the Netherlands Office for further information.
Together with our network partners, the Economic Department of the Netherlands Office organizes business activities to increase business opportunities and to strengthen the position of Dutch businesses in Taiwan. We also organize to promote the Netherlands in general.
For information about our recent activities, please visit our Facebook page
The website of Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affair, provides relevant information regarding trade administration/regulations, trade promotion, and statistics.
http://www.trade.gov.tw/
The “Invest in Taiwan” web portal provides a variety of resources and information designed to increase foreign investment in Taiwan. It provides comprehensive information about business opportunities, doing business, and success stories.
http://investtaiwan.org
“Meet Taiwan” website is an integrated platform for MICE information of Taiwan, providing latest news to users. This website also offers a variety of services to MICE companies, including consultation, incentive packages and dissemination of business opportunities.
http://www.meettaiwan.com/
Taiwantrade is a global online trading hub designed to stimulate immediate access to B2B e-commerce for Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and to help them gain a digital edge over their global competition. Taiwantrade is administered by TAITRA (the Taiwan External Trade Development Council), Taiwan's largest non-profit trade promoter for more than 30 years.
http://www.taiwantrade.com.tw/
Published by the European Economic and Trade Office, this is an ebook of “A Practical Guide to the Taiwanese Market: How to Export or Invest in Taiwan”, which provides a comprehensive view of Taiwan’s progressing economic environment, featuring the most up-to-date trade information and current trends on the island, from an European perspective.
https://eeas.europa.eu/archives/delegations/taiwan/documents/more_info/practical_guide_2009_en.pdf
On the website of National Immigration Agency you can find information for foreigners living in or visiting Taiwan in the future in order for them to adapt to the lifestyle in Taiwan and to improve the quality of their stay.
https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/5478/6928/6940/
Websites with information on trade fairs and exhibitions in the Taiwan:
Please note that the Netherlands Office does not provide direct support for Taiwanese entrepreneurs who want to export their products to the Netherlands, or who need specific information about the Dutch market. These entrepreneurs should contact the Taiwan Trade Center in Rotterdam for information and assistance, or contact their other relevant government organizations. See our links and resources sections for more information.
The Netherlands is about the same size as Taiwan and has around 17.5 million people - a slightly smaller population than Taiwan. The Netherlands is also often informally referred to as Holland, which is because its two most important provinces are called North and South Holland. The official name however, is The Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is best known for its tulips, windmills, wooden shoes and cheese. However, the Netherlands has much more to offer; it is one of the world's leading trading nations and is strong in key areas such as chemicals, electronics, maritime engineering, energy, water, infrastructure and creative industries. Yet one of the most important industries in the Netherlands is its agro-food and horticulture industry. The Netherlands is the largest flower and bulb exporter and the second largest agricultural exporter in the world.
Like Taiwan, the Dutch economy is driven by export, as the Dutch market is too small on its own. About 70% of the national GDP of the Netherlands is earned abroad. The Netherlands attaches great importance to international business, and as such is actively welcoming foreign businesses to come and do business with the Netherlands.
The Netherlands Office Taipei can help you with trade requests about importation of products/services from the Netherlands to Taiwan. For the trade requests about exports to The Netherlands or specific information about the Dutch market, please contact the Taiwan Trade Center in Rotterdam or the Taipei Representative Office in the Netherlands for information and assistance. See our links and resources section for more information.
Websites with information on trade fairs and exhibitions in the Netherlands:
Did you know that around 90% of the world’s computer chips are made in Taiwan? Because of its strengths in OEM wafer manufacturing, plus a complete supply chain for the industry, Taiwan has one of the strongest semiconductor industries in the world. The high-tech industry is the most important sector of the Taiwanese economy today, and responsible for a about 35% of the Taiwanese exports.
Biotechnology has become an important sector for scientific research, technology innovation, and industrial development in Taiwan, with strong government support.
Taiwan has been very active in perfecting existing healthcare systems and incorporating new applications and ideas, as well as stimulating ground-breaking research.
The stimulation of the cultural and creative industries is a key policy in Taiwan, with the National Development Fund investing $10 billion in cultural and creative industries-related businesses in the form of venture capital.
Tourism is one of the major industries and it significantly contributes to the economy of Taiwan, with the number of foreign visitors coming to Taiwan increasing every year.
The market share of renewable energy in Taiwan is approaching 10% of the electricity generation, and the industry sector is rapidly developing in scope and size.
New products, new production techniques, as well as traditional skills and local expertise are key to the "high-end" agribusiness in Taiwan, which focuses on exploring new business opportunities.
The Dutch creative industry is currently gaining considerable international acclaim and has particularly strong profiles in interior design, gaming, fashion, and architecture.
The Netherlands is one of Europe's leading suppliers of chemical products and services. Important raw materials are available or easy to supply while an extensive transportation network provides access to Europe and beyond.
The Netherlands has a strong standing in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency and a leading position in wind energy at sea, biomass processing and greenhouse farming.
High-tech industries in the Netherlands are among the most innovative in the world, thanks to state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge research and development. Dutch technological know-how and products are much sought-after and are exported worldwide.
The Dutch horticultural sector is a global trendsetter supplying markets the world over, as well as being a leading innovator greenhouse technology.
With strong links between industry and academia, focused clusters, and strong chains linking research to product and business creation, the Dutch Life Sciences & Health sector competes on a global scale.
The Netherlands plays a key role in the global economy. Its success is based on its sophisticated logistical infrastructure, world-class service providers and strategic location at the heart of Europe.
For visitors to the Netherlands
(Site of the Netherlands Board of Tourism, and Conventions (NBT)
Keukenhof
(The most famous flower park in the Netherlands, open from March till May)
Expat Service for foreigners coming to live in the Netherlands
Administrative Committee to Coordinate English-Speaking Services
(located in The Hague, offering help and advice to English speakers living in the Netherlands)
Business.gov.nl: finding your way in Dutch rules, permits and subsidies
Business.gov.nl is the starting point of the Dutch government for entrepreneurs. See at a glance which rules, permits, taxes and subsidies apply when you do business in the Netherlands.
Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation
Ministry of Education, Culture & Science
Ministry of Health, Welfare & Sport
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations
Ministry of Security and Justice
Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and InnovationDe Nederlandsche Bank (the Dutch Central Bank)
Royal Association MKB-Nederland
(With some 135 trade organizations and 250 regional and local business associations)
The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce
manages the trade register, provides Dutch entrepreneurs with information,stimulates regional trade & industry and advises local and regional government)
De Telefoongids
Netherlands Telephone Directory (in Dutch)
Dutch government information for entrepreneurs
MECC Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Centre
Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis
Netherlands Patent Office
An agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, responsible for granting patents in the Netherlands, and for the distribution of knowledge from patent literature.
ACM - The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets
The Authority for Consumer and Markets (ACM) follows the latest market trends and developments for consumers and businesses. Specifically, ACM looks at the energy, telecommunication, transport, and postal industries. Along with tracking markets and industries, the ACM holds dialogs with business and consumers, advise consumers, and enforces numerous acts and pieces of legislation.
The Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM)
Avoidance of Double Taxation between Taiwan & the Netherlands
An important agreement for the avoidance of double taxation was signed between the Netherlands and Taiwan in 2001, greatly facilitating commercial exchange and cooperation.
Please visit the extended links section on our website's Agriculture and Food page for a comprehensive list of many useful websites.
Radio Netherlands World Service
(Dutch and international news)
Het Financieele Dagblad
(a Dutch financial newspaper, has an English edition with the International Herald Tribune; the website however, is in Dutch)
Dutch Media Authority
The Dutch Media Authority, called Commissariaat voor de Media (CvdM), upholds the rules which are formulated in the Dutch Media Act as well as in the regulations based on this act, for example the Media Decree.
Government.nl
The Netherlands Government Information Service’s (RVD) English-language site provides a daily selection of government news, plus background information on government policies and members of the Cabinet.
Expatica.com: the Dutch News section
The Dutch News section of this English-language site for expatriates offers comprehensive daily coverage of the main stories in the Dutch media, as well as feature items and editorials.
Please contact us at +886-2-8758 7200 ext. 5
or mail us at TAI-EA@nlot.org.tw
Welcome to the Netherlands Office Taipei
The mission of the Netherlands Office Taipei (NLOT) is to promote and support cooperation between Taiwanese and Dutch institutions and companies in the fields of commerce, science, technology, agriculture, and culture as well as to provide a platform for strategic economic cooperation. In addition, the Netherlands Office Taipei handles visa applications and consular matters for foreigners and Dutch nationals.
