KOROR, Palau (July 12, 2025) — President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. officially opened the fourth Taiwan-Palau Trade and Cultural Show on July 11, alongside Taiwan Ambassador to Palau Jessica C. Lee, in a ceremony attended by government officials, traditional leaders, and members of the public.
Held at the Surangel Supercenter in Ngetkib, Airai, the event brought together 29 Taiwanese companies and showcased a wide range of products from Taiwan, including solar mounting systems, food processing machinery, diving equipment and energy storage solutions.
“This event has become a highlight on our calendar, strengthening the bonds between Palau and Taiwan,” Whipps said in his remarks. He noted a 41% increase in trade between the two nations in recent years, with bilateral trade volume rising from $8.3 million in 2022 to $11.7 million in 2024.
The three-day exhibition, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in partnership with the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), aims to foster business networking and promote cultural exchange. This year’s show features 16 on-site exhibitors and 13 catalog-based participants.
“This is a great opportunity for people to explore business potential and also experience Taiwanese culture,” said Ambassador Lee. “We chose the Surangel Supercenter as the venue because many people come here, and it makes the exhibition more accessible.”
The event included a night market on July 12, co-hosted with the Palau Visitors Authority. The market featured local vendors and Taiwanese chefs serving traditional street food in the Supercenter’s parking lot.
Now in its fourth year, the Taiwan-Palau Trade Show was rebranded in 2024 to include cultural components and promote people-to-people connections in addition to economic cooperation.