Taiwan’s private investment goals for 2013 have been raised following strong overall performance last year, according to the ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs Jan. 8.
New investment plans totaled 2,341 in 2012 and were valued at NT$1.11 trillion (US$38.29 billion), exceeding the goal of NT$1.1 trillion by 0.71 percent, the MOEA said. This year’s overall objective has been set at NT$1.2 trillion. The electronics and information industry led the way last year with investment worth NT$456 billion.
Inbound investment by Taiwan-controlled businesses operating overseas amounted to NT$51.9 billion in 57 projects, surpassing the 2012 target by 3.8 percent, according to the MOEA’s Department of Investment Services. In conjunction with a government initiative aimed at enticing such companies to shift investment home, the 2013 target has been lifted to NT$150 billion from NT$100 billion, the ministry noted.
Investment from foreign firms came to US$10.19 billion, topping the year’s goal by 1.9 percent, the MOEA said.
The InvesTaiwan Service Center under the Executive Yuan handled 171 cases between July and December, up 80 percent over the same period in 2011, with Japanese and domestic companies dominating.
Nine of these firms began construction on or completed plants, including Taiwan Nicca Chemical Co. Ltd. in Guanyin Township, Taoyuan County; Japan-based Fujimi Inc. with a plant and R&D center in Tongluo Township, Miaoli County; and U.S.-headquartered Avis Rent A Car System LLC in Hualien, for total investment of NT$26 billion. In the first half of this year six more companies are expected to break ground on or finish factories with investment adding up to NT$7.6 billion.
In southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone, which has been in existence for 46 years, 67 businesses transformed their operations and upgraded facilities with investment of NT$24 billion and the creation of 2,750 jobs, bringing in high value-added sectors such as information and communications technology, liquid crystal displays and LED, or light-emitting diode, lighting.
Last year smart handheld devices were affected by the sluggish global economy, but this year the ongoing craze for such products is forecast to boost investment in production and R&D to NT$80.46 billion, a year-on-year increase of 28.9 percent, the MOEA said. Increased cooperation within the industry and collaboration with international partners are expected to boost the sector’s development, the ministry added.
Taiwan Today