Industrial connecting creates platform for MIT (Made in Taiwan)

MIT selected a shopping mall opened to the public in Huaqiao on Aug 25, 2012, which marked the birth of a platform for commodity exchange between Taiwan and the mainland.

It has incorporated more than 1,700 categories of commodities made in Taiwan, such as cosmetics, stationery, food and tea. The monthly trade value has surpassed 12 million yuan ($1.9 million).

In recent years, the manufacturing industry has served as an economic engine for Huaqiao. By establishing partnerships with end dealers and expanding the market, Huaqiao has formed a selling network, which incorporates retailing, distribution, logistics and media businesses.

"Five centers" will be constructed in the 4.4-square-kilometer Cross-Straits Commercial Cooperation Zone, including the Exchange Center of Taiwan Commodities, Exhibition Center of Taiwan Commodities, Distribution Center of Taiwan Commodities, Logistics and Declaration Center of Taiwan Commodities and Center of Comprehensive Services, as well as six commodity exchange platforms in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province and Shanghai, as revealed by Chen Jinlong, director of the Bureau of Service Industry Development in the Huaqiao Economic Development Zone.

Trade value of the Cross-Straits Commercial Cooperation Zone has reached 20 percent of the trade value target for 2012 in July. 19 percent of the target for output value of service industry was accomplished in July.

By early August, Cross-Straits Commercial Cooperation Zone has already fulfilled its annual quota for investment introduction and industrial output, which could become a model for Taiwan-funded enterprises in industrial upgrades.

Cultural exchange brings cooperation

Construction of the Taiwanese Culture Section, as the second phase of the Exchange Center of Taiwan Commodities, concluded in July.

The culture section will cover an area of 100,000 square meters, where 18 famous tourist attractions of Taiwan will feature traditional Taiwanese customs and culture.

Old streets, long alleys and theme restaurants will be built in accordance with typical Taiwanese architecture.

Construction of the Taiwan International Gourmet Hall and Digital Culture Hall of Taipei Palace Museum, as well as 18 miniaturized tourist attractions of Taiwan inside the Cross-Straits Commercial Cooperation Zone could add some Taipei splendor to Huaqiao.

The third Kunshan Electrical and Electronics Expo (Kunshan Expo), which concluded successfully on June 28, has presented Kunshan to the world. The number of participating enterprises and individuals in the Expo has increased from 36,000 in 2011 to 50,000 in 2012, with total trading value reaching 2 billion dollars in 2012.

The Kunshan Expo signals an industrial transformation in the city. Chen Jinlong, director of Bureau of Service Industry Development in Huaqiao Economic Development Zone, noted that Huaqiao would introduce Taiwanese folk culture to promote mainland visitors' knowledge.

He said that 70 percent of investments would target the Taiwanese Culture Section, along with cooperation programs with the Taipei Palace Museum and Teresa Teng Memorial Hall that have already been signed.

Institutional Innovations ensure prosperity for Cross-Straits Commercial Cooperation Zone

The 2012 Taiwan-Jiangsu Week was held in May, coinciding with the signing of five strategic agreements between the Cross-Straits Commercial Cooperation Zone and Taiwanese companies.

With construction of the No 2 Exchange Center of Taiwan Commodities, overall coverage of Cross-Straits Commercial Cooperation Zone could reach 1 million square meters by the end of 2012.

It is forecasted that annual trading value of Cross-Straits Commercial Cooperation Zone would surpass 200 billion yuan, with annual tax revenues reaching 10 billion yuan.

The Bureau of Service Industry Development has promoted institutional innovations since July. In early August, the Cross-Straits Commercial Cooperation Zone has over fulfilled its quota of investments and industrial output.

The Bureau of Service Industry Development has kept track on progress of projects to create a good environment for enterprises.

The west part of Axis Road, north part of Jishan Road and Inner Ring Road have opened for traffic and 70 percent of east part of Axis Road and Shungao Road had been completed.

Building the 160,000-square-meter No 2 Exchange Center of Taiwan Commodities and 65,000-square-meter Tiantian International Exhibition Hall could be completed by the end of 2012. Construction of the Taiwan Culture Section, which will cover an area of 100,000 square meters, has commenced on July 20.

It's estimated that overall coverage of the Cross-Straits Commercial Cooperation Zone, including the area under construction and the built area, would reach 1 million square meters.