It is reported that the 2011 Taipei International Machine Tool Show, which closed on March 6th 2011, set records in terms of the number of booths and foreign visitors.

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council said that some 5,071 overseas visitors attended the six day show, which was an 18.9% increase from the last exhibition in 2009. The show featured 5,000 booths, a higher number than at any other trade show in Taiwan, and helped clinch deals worth USD 480 million in total.

The deals were secured as a result of 71 one on one meetings between Taiwan manufacturers and 12 international buyers that included Spain's Mondragon Corporation, the world's biggest group of co operatives, Thomas Skinner of Canada, and Tecnomagnete of Italy. The value of business generated at this year's TIMTOS was forecast at USD 2 billion.

According to TAITRA, the total output value of Taiwan's machine industry is expected to grow 10% to 15% in 2011 from 2010, to more than TWD 1 trillion on the back of the industry's component making ability and flexibility.

(Sourced from www.chinapost.com.tw)