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Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei
Your Best Partner in Global Trade - Innovation, Efficiency, Service


The Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei (IEAT), established in 1947, represents businesses engaged in import-export trade. With a membership that has grown from 200 in its inception to more than 5,000 today, the IEAT is now one of the most influential private trade organizations in Taiwan.


Trade is a mainstay of the Taiwan economy. Through their ingenuity and industriousness, Taiwan traders have laid a cornerstone to economic progress on the island. The IEAT has effectively bridged communication between the government and the trade sector for more than six decades. Guided by principles of "Innovation, Efficiency, Service and Par Excellence", the IEAT sets out to advance members' interests through coordinating the sector and to further economic progress through expanding international trade. Achievements are made in forging sectorial consensus, protecting members' rights and benefits, and facilitating companies to tap trade opportunities in the global market.


In response to economic changes and the accession to the WTO by China and Taiwan, the IEAT strengthens strategic collaboration with trade agencies and conducts studies on the global economic climate and major markets. It bolsters assistance to companies that participate in exhibitions, procurement and sales missions at home and abroad. It makes great strides in the Mainland Chinese market by operating liaison offices in the cities of Dalian and Xiamen to organize trade shows and facilitate members in cross-Strait commerce..



”½ Leadership With A Vision; Service Par Excellence
The IEAT provides comprehensive services to member companies from various industries with major trade partners in North America, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe and Mainland China. Export items comprise mainly machinery products, plastic products, electrical machinery and information products, while major imports include machinery products, electrical machinery and information products.


The organizational setup is made up of the Delegates Committee, the Board of Directors, the Board of Supervisors and an administration division. The Delegates Committee, comprising 86 representatives elected by a vote of all members of the organization, represents the highest authority. The 27-member Board of Directors and nine-member Board of Supervisors formulate the operation guidelines.


The Board of Directors oversees the operations of seven Committees, namely, the International Affairs Committee, Members' Liaison Committee, Editorial and Publications Committee, Mainland China Trade Research Committee, Scholarship Fund Committee, Research and Development Committee and Trade Policies Committee.


The daily operations are managed by the Secretary-General with the assistance of the Deputy Secretary-General and about 40 staff members in the International Affairs Division, Mainland China Affairs Division, Domestic Affairs Division, Information Service Division, Trade Professional Certification Division, Finance and Administration Division, and General Affairs Division. The IEAT obtained ISO 9001 certification in 2002 in its ongoing efforts to upgrade service quality.. 


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łž5 Major Functions
1. Enhancing Members”¦ Rights and Benefits (A Voice of the Trade Sector and Its Best Representative)

  1. " Addresses pertinent issues and makes concrete recommendations to the authorities based on members' feedback and research findings.

  2. " Participates in trade and economic policy formulation and offers proposals grounded on the views of members and experts.

  3. " Establishes 21 industry-specific committees and 9 topic-specific committees consisting of representatives from the business community. These committees call meetings as needed and serve to help members develop business opportunities as well as a grasp of legislations.

    ”° Committees based on 21 industries
    Agriculture, animal husbandry and fishing products
    Processed food
    Dairy products
    Health food products
    Chinese medicinal products
    Western medicinal products
    Textile products, including handbags
    Building materials and furniture
    Instruments, including medical and scientific items
    Photographic equipment
    Electrical equipment
    Information products
    Transportation equipment
    Machinery tools
    Sports and leisure products, including footwear
    Toys, gifts and jewelry
    Chemicals ”]including minerals and related products”^
    Iron and steel products
    Cosmetics and cleansing products
    Tobacco, wine and liquor

    ”° Committees based on 9 special rese arch fields
    Taxation
    Freight and warehousing
    Finance and foreign exchange
    Customs procedures
    Trade and commercial laws
    Environmental protection
    Mainland China Trade
    Certification and Inspection
    Beef imports

  4. " Arranges for visits by members to the customs departments, production facilities, science parks and research institutions to familiarize members with related operations and business trends.

  5. " Provides advisory services through a Joint Service Center for Importers and Exporters set up in 1998. The center enlists the expertise of 18 agencies that include the Bureau of Foreign Trade, the Industrial Development Bureau, the Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, the Directorate General of Customs, the Taipei National Tax Administration, and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council. In 2006, two counters were added for queries on the Chinese market and on general matters to provide comprehensive consultation by experts in the fields of trade and commerce, finance, taxation, law, marketing and business and industrial administration.

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2. Furthering Foreign Trade (Creating Business Opportunities to Further Global Trade)

  1. " Twinning relationships: Cooperation agreements are signed with 72 business and industrial organizations in 42 countries to intensify trade and economic exchanges.

  2. " Hosting foreign trade-related organizations: Exchanges of business updates with visiting delegations; arranging for business talks; and organizing talks on potential markets.

  3. " Outbound missions: Coordinating members' participation in international trade shows and specialized exhibitions at home and abroad, and organizing business trips to prospective markets for exhibitions, procurement, and market studies.

  4. " Exhibitions and talks: Cooperation with major foreign trade and economic agencies to hold exhibitions, procurement talks, and matching sessions as market expansion initiatives.

  5. " The Taiwan-Korea Economic and Trade Committee: The committee, established in 2004, expedites business exchange and communication between the civil sectors of the two regions.

  6. " Participation in international conferences: Attending major international meetings to understand trade and economic trends as well as establish foreign relations.

  7. " Catalogue and samples shows: Organizing catalogue shows through coordinating the participation of trade representatives in Taipei; and compiling catalogues of member companies for similar shows in emerging markets abroad. Issuance of documents: Issuance of certificates such as L/C transfers, export/import commissions and merchanting trade certificate, certificate of origin, certificate of tender/bidding qualifications and membership identification..


3 . Interaction and Collaboration (Strategic Alliance for Greater Trade)

  1. " Federation of International Trade Related Association: The federation was founded by 174 trade associations in 2000 to deepen sectoral interaction in pursuit of common interests.

  2. " Strategic collaboration: Closer cooperation forged with various importers and exporters associations, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association, the China Productivity Center, the Electronics Testing Center, and etc.

  3. " Joint sessions: Holding regular discussions with economic officials by board members and sub-committee conveners to give timely industry feedback.

  4. " Concessionary benefits: Cooperative agreements are made with peripheral services of the trade sector to provide members with concessions for lower costs of testing, business, and travel.

  5. " Social activities: Activities for members' interaction, such as hikes and golf matches..

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4. Comprehensive Information Resource (Integrated Information Platform to Keep Abreast of Developments)

  1. " Publication of the Trade Magazine: Reports and analysis of domestic and foreign developments in trade and economy, foreign exchange, industries and markets, and IEAT activities. The publication is distributed to members and related agencies at home and abroad.

  2. " Publication of trade and business series: publications of titles on various specialized topics relating to trade practices and the Mainland Chinese market.

  3. " Topical research: Updating members on the latest business developments through studies on topics relating to changes in global trade and major markets.

  4. " Trade Resource Library and Book Gallery: A collection of trade and business information resources, industry yearbooks and business periodicals for members' reference. And the Book Gallery puts on sale IEAT publications as well as items published by related agencies.

  5. " Distribution of membership CD-ROM: A CD-ROM listing of member companies according to H.S. Code is published for business interaction.

  6. " Promotion of trade opportunities: Publicizing overseas trade opportunities on the IEAT website and providing real-time information through regular updates of electronic trade news.

  7. " Electronic services: Digitalized information for members through the IEAT website (www.ieatpe.org.tw) and the subsidiary sites of the International Trade Infoweb, the China Trade Information website, Law and Regulations Billboard and the Book Gallery to provide a database on member companies, IEAT activities and publications, market updates, trade opportunities availability, and announcements of trade rules and regulations. Regular news release on policy changes and trade opportunities through the Trade Magazine Electronic Journal, Trade Opportunities E-newsletter, Law and Regulations Billboard, electronic versions of international trade news and China business reports, and the Book Gallery new titles.. ”@

 

5.Developing Trade Expertise (Developing Professional Expertise to Raise Competitiveness)

  1. " International trade scholarship: An international trade scholarship is awarded regularly to college students in Taipei for outstanding performance in international trade programs.

  2. " Professional examinations: The International Trade Certification Examination and Examination for Certification of Trade Specialists are held every year to certify basic qualifications of graduates and practitioners in trade-related fields. The International Trade Job Bank also facilitates employers in staff recruitment.

  3. " Trade and economic seminars: Holding talks and seminars by local and foreign experts, scholars and business representatives to address issues on trade practices, taxation, finance, management, trade opportunities in overseas markets, and cross-Straits trade. Talks are also held in Mainland China to serve the needs of Taiwan businesses..

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”½Our Achievements in 2009

  1. Market expansion/ development: 54 delegations for exhibitions, procurement and study tours overseas, and 5 trade talks, involving nearly 1,000 participating companies and facilitated numerous business potentials.

  2. Education: 69 sessions on topical issues relating to trade and business practices, international trade and trade with China, involving more than 3,000 participants; 19 classes of a course in trade practices for a total of 42 terms, involving 1,616 participants.

  3. Policy discussion: 54 committee meetings held by 21 Industries and 9 Special Research Committees to review and discuss laws and regulations, industry developments, trade and customs matters, and China business opportunities.

  4. Protection of members'interests: The completion of 98 consultation cases through the "Joint Service Center" and "Member Consultation Service Center" for Importers and Exporters; proposal to the government on 51 items of policy changes with regard to legal relaxation, lower reduction, custom procedures simplification and triangular trading taxation.

  5. Field trips: 3 Visits to the Keelung Customs Office, Taipei Customs Office and green energy facilites (e.g. Super Textile Corporation) to expand traders'expertise.

  6. Sourcing manpower: The fourth International Trade Certification Examinations and the third Trade Specialists Certification Examinations attended by 5,594 applicants. Users of the International Trade Professional Dataweb included 755 qualified candidates and 257 companies.

  7. Comprehensive information service: complimentary copies of 12 issues of Trade Magazine for members; ready access to information on the IEAT website and four subsidiary websites: the International Trade Infoweb, the China Trade Information website, the Law and Regulations Billboard, and the Book Gallery ; and thousands of postings of electronic news, trade opportunities as well as business information.

  8. Topical studies: The 2009 IEAT Country Report on the business environments of major emerging markets, and research on business opportunities and challenges in Turkay and Iran.

  9. Members' interaction: 6 hiking trips and golf tournaments involving 3,600 participants.

  10. Issuance of documents: Issuance of 27,937 certificates of origin, and 200 documents for membership identification, Certificate of Free Sale and Manufacture, tender/bidding qualifications and business performance documentation.

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”½ Towards a New Era in Trade: Innovation, Efficiency, Service and Par Excellence

A witness to six decades of economic vicissitudes, the IEAT thrives with the progress of international trade. It will continue to play a key role as changes in the trade sector evolve with rapid globalization in the information era.


In its relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation, the IEAT will heighten cooperation with all sectors and provide enhanced quality service to help members grasp business opportunities and achieve greater specialization and scale of operation. To promote members' interests and economic progress, the IEAT will fortify its role in bridging communication between the public and private sectors for a flourishing international trade.

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