The 2009 Taiwan International Photovoltaic Forum & Exhibition (2009 PV Taiwan), which opened in Taipei Tuesday, has drawn record participation this year, one of the organizers said. According to Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), 236 exhibitors are displaying their products at 500 booths, as compared to 300 booths in 2008. The exhibition, the foremost of its kind in Asia, underscores the robust industrial capabilities and R&D technologies in Taiwan, TAITRA said, adding that 1,200 buyers are expected to attend the show. The output value of Taiwan's PV industry in 2008 was NT$101.1 billion (US$3.1 billion) and the export of PV cells was more than 900MW (megawatt), which meant that Taiwan was 4th largest production base worldwide for PV cells, TIATRA said. The 2009 exhibition, which is being held Oct.7-9 at the Taipei World Trade Center, is expected to offer an ideal marketing platform for suppliers on every link of the supply chain, said Hong Ming-chin of TAITRA Exhibition Department. For the first time, an HCPV (High efficiency Concentration Photovoltaics) area and a German pavilion have been set up at the annual PV show. Some 54 foreign companies are among the 236 exhibitors at the show, TAITRA said. 