TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center, which took six years to build, opened Friday and will host the Taiwan International Tools & Hardware Expo as its inaugural event, per CNA.

The expo will run from Tuesday to Thursday, featuring more than 400 exhibitors and buyers from over 70 countries. The event will focus on metal-processing equipment, automotive maintenance and materials technology, as well as agriculture and outdoor supplies.

Located in the city’s Xitun District, the venue is near the Shuinan Economic and Trade Park, Taichung Port, and Taichung International Airport. It is accessible via the Taichung Metro, with shuttle buses connecting directly to the site.

Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣), and Taiwan External Trade Development Council chair James Huang (黃志芳) attended the center’s opening ceremony. Lu thanked the Legislative Yuan and the city council for supporting the project.

Lu said the city government invested NT$8.9 billion (US$296.7 million) to construct the center, which she noted is the largest expo venue in central Taiwan. The facility features nearly 5,000 solar panels with a total installed capacity of 1.9 megawatts and has received green building certification.

Lu noted that some industries are affected by the US 20% tariffs on imports from Taiwan. She hopes the new facility will give more exposure to industrial products from central Taiwan and attract international buyers for business negotiations.

According to the Taichung Economic Development Bureau, the facility can accommodate up to 12,600 people and offers 2,360 exhibition booths. It also includes a conference hall and a banquet kitchen capable of serving up to 5,000 guests.

From November through March 2026, the center will host three major exhibitions focusing on machine tools and smart manufacturing, the city government added.