Taiwan Expo to bring 125 exhibitors to Manila as Philippines pushes renewables

Taiwan Expo is returning to Manila this month, bringing more than 125 Taiwanese exhibitors to the Philippines as the country accelerates its renewable energy ambitions and grapples with grid reliability and power costs.

The three-day expo will take place at the SMX Convention Centre Manila from 17 to 19 September 2026, following a 2025 edition that generated US$53.4 million in business opportunities and attracted more than 10,000 buyers.

Organised by the Taiwan international trade administration under Taiwan's ministry of economic affairs and implemented by the Taiwan external trade development council (TAITRA), the exhibitors will showcase products and technologies across technology, sustainability, agriculture, healthcare and lifestyle.

Don't miss: Sustainability takes front seat amidst energy crisis in the Philippines

The companies will operate under a “National Team” banner, with this year's programme placing particular emphasis on technologies that could address practical challenges in the Philippine market.

“Fifty-three million dollars in business opportunities showed us how much appetite there is in this market,” said James C. F. Huang, chairman of TAITRA. “This year we want to build on that through joint ventures, licensing, and local assembly, so Taiwanese and Philippine companies are building together rather than simply trading. Our measure of success is how many of these connections are still producing value for both sides five years from now.”

Energy takes centre stage

The Green & Innovation Showcase will be one of the key attractions at the 2026 expo, with energy storage, hydrogen microgrids and grid resilience technologies taking centre stage.

Taiwanese exhibitors will present battery energy storage systems and hydrogen microgrids designed for island and off-grid applications, with potential use across communities outside the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids.

The showcase will also feature green building insulation designed to reduce cooling loads in commercial developments, AI-powered waste sorting systems for local government units and biodegradable plant-based drinking straws produced at commercial scale.

The focus reflects growing commercial opportunities around the Philippines' energy transition, as businesses and communities seek more resilient and cost-effective energy solutions.

From smart farms to AIoT

The Agritech & Food Pavilion will focus on productivity challenges in Philippine agriculture, including labour constraints and livestock losses.

Among the technologies on display will be autonomous mobile robots designed to reduce reliance on manual field labour, alongside smart environmental control systems for livestock operations targeting mortality losses in poultry and swine production.

Taiwanese companies will also use the expo to seek Philippine distribution partners for products including Phalaenopsis orchids, high-mountain teas and specialty foods.

Meanwhile, the Intelligent Technology Pavilion will cover the digital infrastructure supporting businesses, spanning Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), edge computing and cybersecurity.

Exhibits include collaborative robots for manufacturing, forklift safety systems for warehouse and logistics operators, and zero-trust cybersecurity frameworks aimed at enterprises facing increasing ransomware exposure and data protection requirements.

Healthcare and lifestyle broaden the offer

Beyond industrial and technology applications, the Beauty & Wellness Pavilion will combine biotech skincare with healthcare products.

Exhibitors will showcase functional bio-electro devices, anti-counterfeiting technology for pharmaceutical and cosmetic packaging, as well as sterile surgical supplies and medical dressings aimed at hospital procurement.

The Premium Lifestyle Pavilion will round out the exhibition with consumer products including recycled-fabric bags, electric vehicle safety blankets, towels, memory storage devices, smart wine aerators and precision bathroom components.

Many of these companies will be looking for Philippine distributors and retail partners.

The push comes as Taiwan-Philippines trade continues to expand. Bilateral goods trade reached US$6.71 billion in 2024, while trade increased 8.5% in the first seven months of 2025. Taiwan subsequently moved from the Philippines' 11th-largest trading partner to its 10th.

For Taiwan Expo, however, the ambition extends beyond simply increasing trade volumes. The organisers are positioning the 2026 edition as a platform for longer-term commercial partnerships, including joint ventures, licensing and local assembly.

From AI-powered marketing and the friction economy to retention-led growth, DMA Philippines 2026 on 29 September in Manila will bring together marketers to tackle the opportunities and challenges shaping the next phase of digital transformation.

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