Interview Report

	Interview Report

	● Minister of Economic Affairs – Ms. Ho Mei-yueh
	The Minister of Economic Affairs emphasized in her speech during the press release conference of saxophone industry innovation that, one third of the world's saxophones are made here in Taiwan, and seven out of ten saxophones that are made in Taiwan are made in Houli. It is not an overstatement to say that Houli is the saxophone capital. According to Ms. Ho, the only way to leave behind China's low cost but cheap items and to avoid unnecessary price lowering among the saxophone makers is to consolidate the entire industry. Therefore the Industrial Development Bureau is assisting the saxophone industry to utilize a common brand name of Saxhome in search of even higher quality and higher values. This is a new beginning for Taiwan's industries. Our government will continue to assist other local industries to raise the quality levels, so that each locality will have its own unique industry. This type of industry is not trying to win customers based on quantity, but rather on quality. It is also imperative to have a significant market share, so that Taiwan does not lose its competitiveness.	The Minister of Economic Affairs

	● Director of Industrial Development Bureau Mr. Chen Chao-yi
	The director of Industrial Development Bureau opined that the major goal for the innovation press release conference is for the local industries to strive. In the past when the emphasis was on exports, most of the fellow citizens did not know about this industry that is the pride of Taiwan. We wish to open up the domestic market, so that our fellow citizens could enjoy these excellent domestically made products. Besides the help provided by the Industrial Development Bureau and the Ministry of Economic Affairs Mid-Taiwan Office, Mr. Chen also thanked Industrial Technology Research Institute Mechanical Industry Research Laboratories (ITRI/MIRL) for being the backstage supporters. They not only helped the industry develop new materials so the sound quality and tone are even better, they also helped improve the assembly technique to improve product quality. In the foreseeable future, when saxophones are being mentioned, people will automatically think of Taiwan, the same way people think of Switzerland when watches are being mentioned.	The Director of Industrial Development Bureau

	● Director of Ministry of Economic Affair Mid-Taiwan Office Mr. Li Chong-chin
	Most people know that there is a famous equestrian track in Houli. However, Houli is even more significant for being the saxophone capital of Taiwan. The former U.S. president Bill Clinton is a saxophone connoisseur. When he visited Taiwan not too long ago, our president Shui-Bien Chen gave president Clinton a Houli-made saxophone as a present. Houli-made saxophones can now be found in every corner of the world. Unfortunately, when faced with the challenge posed by the low-priced competition from China and other nations, we could only transform our saxophone industry and utilize innovation to face the threat. Mr. Li thanked the ITRI/MIRL for their efforts in the past couple of years for assisting the industry in the area of product development and quality improvement. It enabled the saxophone makers to use the latest technology to keep up with the changing time. Our government also utilizes international website in English language to promote Taiwan's saxophones, so that the whole world would know about this fine musical instrument that we are making.	TheDirector of Ministry of Economic Affair Mid-Taiwan Office

	● Industrial Technology Research Institute Mechanical Industry Research Laboratories (ITRI/MIRL)
	Ms. Tsai is responsible for coordinating the project of assisting musical instruments innovation and transforming development of Industrial Development Bureau of Ministry of Economic Affairs. She talked about the reason why several industrialists didn't participate in this project. Some didn't have time to come to the meetings; some already have stable customer base; and some do not have their own factories so they do not qualify. But in any case, they all voiced the intention to cooperate as long as the activity is related to this industry. She also said that there are more than ten saxophone makers who make their own main saxophone bodies, contrary to the rumors of main body outsourcing. This project will conclude at the end of 2005 after its two-year term. The pertinent government agencies will continue to back up this project indefinitely.	Ms. Tsai is working in ITRI/MIRL.