Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make up a large part of Taiwan’s economy and industry. Although SMEs have relatively limited resources available, they are able to take advantage and utilize those resources in their pursuit of success in the field. Though average in business scale SMEs are looming large in innovation and R&D, and they are seen as an important driving force behind the country’s economic development.

In order to encourage domestic SMEs to develop their own brands, the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan has commissioned the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) to collaborate with an internationally-renowned brand appraisal consultancy, Interbrand, and host the “Top 20 Taiwan Global Brands” under the Branding Taiwan program. In addition, the “Taiwan Superior Brands Awards” has been created to recognize domestic branded companies with export value accounting for over 30% of their total business revenue, and reward them for their branding efforts and contribution to their markets.

Taiwan Superior Brand winners are judged based on their financial standing, branding achievement, brand position, branding strategies and competitive advantages, and the awards are presented in 8 different categories, namely Information, Communication & Home Appliances; Machinery & Hardware; Sports & Leisure; Healthcare & Biotechnology; Fashion, Cultural & Creative Industries; Green Energy; High-end Agriculture; and Other Industries.

Taiwan’s Superior Brands winners have come a long way since their early beginnings as a small enterprise. Behind each winner is a story of triumph, offering an inspiration as well as an encouragement especially for SMEs to follow. Through the Taiwan Superior Brands Awards therefore, it not only recognizes and honors enterprises with remarkable achievements in brand development, but it intends to create a motivation for SMEs to flourish and develop the capability to challenge well-known brands in the global branding arena.

Even in the years ahead, the Taiwan Superior Brands is committed to continue demonstrating the highest potential of Taiwan’s enterprises in developing their product image and corporate identity, and boost Taiwan’s brands in the world to become the pride of Taiwan.