A trading market dedicated to sales of Taiwan's commodities in Pingtan county will try everything possible to promote its brand and roll out more incentives for customers, according to an official at the market on Sept 11.

The entrance of the Taiwan Commodity Market in Pingtan, Fujian province. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Two and a half months after its inauguration, the market still faces some pressing issues such as insufficient traffic, fewer-than-expected customer flows and lack of high-end brand stores, said Chen Hongchun, director of the market's business investment office.

To cope with those problems, the market has been putting its collective heads together in a bid to gain more popularity.

For example, in order to cut logistics costs, the market opened a shipping route for Taiwanese products via the “Mini Three Links”, which is a pact between Fujian and Taiwan's Kinmen and Matsu counties that allows small-scale exchanges of personnel and cargo.

On Sept 10, a batch of Taiwan's goods were shipped by a Taiwanese freighter on the special route and reached Pingtan by way of Matsu for the first time, marking the commencement of a new import method for the market.

Chen revealed that the freighter will increase trips – say, three times a week – in future to provide more convenience for merchants at the market.

The commodity market is also applying for a 4A tourist resort, which, if it succeeds, will no doubt attract more visitors and investments to the market, said Chen.

He added that besides Taiwan's special products, the market will integrate more Taiwan elements such as food and entertainment programs in the future.

Background:

The Taiwan Commodity Market, which opened in June 2014, is situated in Aoqian town, covering about 160,000 square meters.

It comprises 38 buildings in the Minnan folk style, divided into a duty-free zone, non-duty free zone and support function zone.

A favorable tax policy operates at the market, with tax exemptions granted by the Ministry of Finance on six categories of Taiwan goods: oil and grain products; farm products; textiles and garments; artwork; light industrial products and medicine.

The daily cap per person is 6,000 yuan ($960) and purchasing records are tracked. If the sum exceeds the threshold both customers and merchants are notified to pay the tax.