Founded in 1970 to help promote foreign trade, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) is the foremost non-profit trade promotion organization in Taiwan. Jointly sponsored by the government, industry associations, and several commercial organizations, TAITRA assists Taiwan businesses and manufacturers with reinforcing their international competitiveness and in coping with the challenges they face in foreign markets. TAITRA's board of directors consists of representatives from government authorities, special members assigned by the government and members from industry associations. Government and industry associations are directly involved in TAITRA's operation while the International Trade Association of the Republic of China is a private civic organization composed of individual members, and government or industry associations are not involved in its operations. ++++++ For details of TAITRA’s activities, click www.taiwantrade.com.tw ++++++