Economy

Taiwan delegations eye Southeast Asian markets

Deputy MOEA Minister Francis Kuo-hsin Liang is all smiles at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport June 24 before departing on a three-day visit to the Philippines. (CNA)

• Publication Date：06/25/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Meg Chang

ROC Government-backed delegations from Taiwan are visiting Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam this month to drum up business and investment opportunities for local firms in the emerging economies, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The first group, headed by Deputy MOEA Minister Francis Kuo-hsin Liang, departed Taiwan June 24 on a three-day tour. Comprising 31 senior representatives of 19 Taiwan firms, it is scheduled to take part in face-to-face meetings with Philippine government officials and inspections of industrial parks across the archipelago.

Three days later, Lee Tsong-guei, deputy head of the MOEA Department of Investment Services, leads a second delegation made up of 41 representatives from 27 Taiwan businesses to Indonesia. The group’s four-day itinerary is similar in nature but will be supplemented by two investment seminars in Jakarta and Bundung.

According to the DOIS, experts from Taipei-headquartered research organizations such as China Productivity Center, Industrial Technology Research Institute and Taiwan Textile Research Institute, are set to deliver addresses at the seminar on problems faced by the island’s firms operating in Indonesia.

The third group, organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), is scheduled to visit Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as Thailand and Vietnam, during the same period.

Headed by TAITRA Vice Chairman Wayne W. Wu, the delegation comprises leaders from 69 local firms covering sectors including food processing, household hardware and medical care devices.

In addition to assisting Taiwan firms expand their presence in the region, Wu will sign a cooperation agreement with Taguig City-based Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to boost bilateral trade activity.

Central government statistics show that Taiwan is the eighth largest foreign investor in the Philippines and Indonesia, with accumulated investments reaching US$1.9 billion and US$15.5 billion, respectively. (JSM)

Write to Meg Chang at sfchang@mail.mofa.gov.tw