Aerospace and defense show opens; Taiwan growth lauded Updated Friday, August 14, 2009 10:31 am TWN, The China Post news staff Aug 13, 2009 TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The biennial Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) opened yesterday, with officials lauding Taiwan's aviation industry for registering growth amidst the recession. The show this year has 97 local and international exhibitors, with over 680 booths, Y. C. Chao, president of organizer Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), said, during the exhibit's opening ceremony, yesterday. This translates into a growth of 54 percent and 13 percent from 2007, he said. He added that more than 50,000 visitors are expected to visit the two-day show, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of National Defense (MND), and Ministry of Transportation and Communications. The global aviation industry has suffered amid the recession, with manufacturers' total loss expected to be US$9 billion this year, Chao said, citing data from the International Air Transport Association. Yet, Taiwan manufacturers have performed brilliantly, he said, adding production may exceed NT$70 billion this year, higher than the NT$61.1 billion for last year. The NT$61.1 billion for 2008 was a 22 percent increase from the 2007 figure, he noted. Apart from military products, the show will feature exhibits from private companies from home and abroad, including the Taichung City-based Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. and U.S.-based Lockheed Martin Corp.