Taipei Economic & Cultural Representative Jinn-Jong Ling hosted a reception for a 55-member Taiwanese delegation participating in the Saudi Print, Pack, Plastics & Petrochem 2014 exhibition.

He thanked the guests who included Saudi businessmen and industry leaders for gracing the occasion and expressed hope that they would support the delegation during the exhibition that began on Feb. 17 and ended on Feb. 20. The exhibition is held every two years.

Simon Lai, manager of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, is heading the delegation representing 22 Taiwanese companies in the plastic sector.

Talking on the occasion, Lai — who is visiting the Kingdom for the first time — said that Saudi Arabia is a big market for Taiwanese machinery used in manufacturing plastic products.

“Since Taiwanese companies started participating in this exhibition, which is being held every two years, their exports to the Kingdom has increased. One reason for this is the fact that Taiwanese machinery is of high quality and of competitive price,” he said.

He added that for this reason, “the companies have always participated in the Saudi Print, Pack, Plastics & Petrochem show.”

He said the machinery which Taiwanese firms export to the Kingdom include blow film machine and cutting and sealing machine.

Blow film machine is used in manufacturing T-shirt bag, garbage bag, packing for cake, candy, food and water bottle. Cutting and sealing machine is also used in manufacturing T-shirt bag.

They also export machinery for manufacturing agriculture film and bags such as those used by certain courier agencies.

W.K. Lai, economic counselor, said that with the help of the plastic sector, Taiwanese trade volume with the Kingdom now touches $1.7 billion, although Saudi Arabia has the advantage with $14.7 billion exports to Taiwan.