Why Taiwan?
Taiwan’s technology-driven and advanced financial services economy supports high disposable incomes, creating demand for high-quality food, education, and products and services.
The Taiwanese Government has a Bilingual 2030 policy, which aims to raise the level of English proficiency among the public and improve the country’s overall national competitiveness. This policy serves as a significant driver for expanding opportunities in the ELICOS sub-sector, particularly in teacher training programs.
The government is also promoting the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program to meet national infrastructure needs over the next 30 years. This program contains eight major elements: railway development, digital infrastructure, aquatic environments, food safety, green energy, urban-rural development, boosting birthrates and childcare facilities, and nurturing talent and employment.
The Taiwan Government’s ‘5+2’ Innovative Industry Plan supports seven industries and projects to drive Taiwan’s industrial growth and sustainable development. This focus is expected to move Taiwan from contract manufacturing to a new commercial model of high-value-added business, services and solutioning. Key aspects are:
- intelligent machinery
- Asia Silicon Valley
- green energy
- biomedicine
- national defence and aerospace
- new agriculture
- the circular economy.
A market with strong IP protection, Taiwan is one of the most innovative regions in the world as measured by numbers of patents lodged and international designs awarded.
Just how big is the demand for Queensland food and beverage in Taiwan?
Queensland and Taiwan?
In 2025, Taiwan was Queensland’s tenth largest goods trading partner, valued at around $4.8 billion.
Taiwan’s ageing demographic and need for food and energy security will drive opportunities for Queensland in the future.
Taiwan has been classed as an ‘aged’ society since 2018, when its population over the age of 65 surpassed 14%. This proportion is expected to exceed 20% by 2026, and 41% by 2060. It will therefore require sophisticated aged care infrastructure and services.
Taiwan is Queensland’s ninth largest source market for international student enrolments, with 4,450 international student enrolments as at December 2025.
Taiwan currently imports almost all of its energy needs. In line with global trend, the Taiwan Government is pursuing net zero goals, with stated intentions to increase gas and renewable energy use.
Greater energy security will drive its increasing interest in renewable energy applications in wind, tidal and solar.
Alternative fuels, such as biofuels, will also become a priority due to green energy and circular economy initiatives.
Opportunities and challenges
- Urban infrastructure
- Food and agribusiness
- Education and training
- Innovative technology
- Health
- Tourism
- Renewables
- Green energy
- Aged care services
- Financial services
- Biomedicine
- Defence and aerospace
Meet Juna Ferret
Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Taiwan
Juna Ferrett commenced as Commissioner for Taiwan in February 2024. A proud First Nations Taiwanese-Australian who lived in Queensland, she has a career that spans across both commercial enterprise and government initiatives.
Prior to this appointment Juna was with Deloitte as Strategy Manager where she led engagement across Queensland’s key knowledge-intensive industries. She spent many years working for Southern Cross University and Cambridge International College across China and Canada and has also been an international volunteer with the Gates Foundation (Myanmar) and Room to Read (Cambodia).
Juna is bilingual English and Mandarin Chinese. She holds a Bachelor of Arts - International Development (Uni Melb), a Master of Business Administration (QUT) and studied at Stanford Graduate School of Business (USA).
Resources
- Austrade, Market Profile – Taiwan
- Austrade, Doing Business – Taiwan
- Austrade, Market Information Package for Australian education institutions
- DFAT, Market Insights Taiwan
Global markets
Explore more global market profiles Trade and Investment Queensland have expertise in:
Is your business ready to unlock global markets? Learn more about your future export success through TIQ.
Whether you are an experienced exporter looking to expand your global footprint or a new exporter starting your journey, TIQ can help you scale your business internationally.