Philippine electronic firms aiming to provide services in Taiwan

Taipei, Sept. 18 (CNA) Various companies from the Philippines are among more than 700 exhibitors from 43 countries that are seeking to supply electronic solutions and materials to the Taiwanese market.

The three-day Semicon semiconductor trade show, which opened Wednesday at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, is expected to draw 50,000 visitors, as for the ninth consecutive year, Taiwan remains top globally in semiconductor equipment spending at US$11.4 billion, according to SEMI, a global industry association of semiconductor equipment and material suppliers.

Michael Alfred V. Ignacio, director of commercial affairs at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Taipei, told CNA that his office has been positioning the Philippines as the best partner for Taiwan in industrial collaboration because they can use their combined strengths to their advantage.

"Taiwan is a world leader in electronics and semiconductors, but the Philippines has the market, the workforce and the skills," Ignacio said, adding companies in the Philippines can provide manufacturing solutions for Taiwanese companies.

The Philippines graduates over 700,000 university or tertiary level graduates every year, of which one quarter of the group are involved in science or technology, he said.

Read more: Focus Taiwan