Taiwan is planning a major trade push in Bahrain to improve bilateral economic relations, Manama-based Taiwan Trade Mission representative Dr Parris Shu-zeng Jang said. He said businessmen were already discussing a number of potential projects, including building a health center and ventures in the construction industry. The creation of a high-tech orchid garden in Bahrain to export flowers across the Middle East was also on the agenda, he said during a meeting of the Rotary Club of Manama at the Gulf Hotel. “There is room for expansion of the trade and Taiwan considers its exports to Bahrain can and should be increased,” Jang said. “Not many Taiwanese businessmen know much regarding Bahrain. Taiwan's Trade Mission hopes to rectify such a situation and it will do what it can to get Taiwan businessmen's attention.” Jang pointed to the growing the volume of trade last year, which reached $385 million (BD145.5 million) as an example of the mutually beneficial relationship between both islands. He said Bahrain's exports, mainly aluminum, accounted for $360 million (BD136 million) of the total, while the country imported $25 million (BD9.45 million) worth of goods from Taiwan including vehicle parts, home appliances and information technology products. Jang called for Bahrain to establish a government or non-government office in Taiwan to promote trade, investment and tourism or the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bahrain Business Association to send delegations. He said the Taiwan External Trade Development Council in Taipei holds many trade shows such as furniture, sporting goods, auto parts, machine tools, textiles, medical equipment, pharmaceutical biotechnology products and food that Bahraini firms could participate in. He added that around 8 million Taiwanese take holidays abroad every year and said Bahrain could try and attract some of those traveling to Europe for stop
