MOEA Investment Delegation Heads for the U.S.

Taipei, Nov. 28, 2005 (CENS)--A delegation, led by vice minister Shih Yien-hsiang, took off for the U.S. on Nov. 26, aiming to promote investments in Taiwan's wireless communications, auto electronics, and opto-electronic energy industries among U.S. businesses.

During their stay in the U.S., the delegation is scheduled to sponsor three Taiwan investment seminars in Dallas, Chicago, and Detroit. The Detroit seminar will focus on auto electronics and components, in the hope of encouraging U.S. firms to engage in investment or technological-cooperation projects in such fields in Taiwan.

The delegation consists mainly of delegates from the Industrial Development and Investment Center of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Industrial Development Bureau for Industrial Development, the Communications Promotion Panel, the Industrial Technology Research Institute , as well as representatives from Taiwan Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers' Association, Taiwan Transportation Vehicle Manufacturers Association, and Taipei Computer Association.

During the seminars, delegates from the Industrial Development and Investment Center and the Industrial Development Bureau will explain Taiwan's investment environment and the government's industrial policies, while delegates from the ITRI and communications promotion panel will manifest the island's business potential for these industries.

Total production value of Taiwan's communications equipment industry topped NT$400 billion in 2004, for an annual growth of 28.5%, an outstanding performance compared with other countries. A number of products ranked No. 1 worldwide, including WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, cable modem, and SOHO (small office, home office) router. The handset industry boasted output of 60 million units, among the highest in the world.

Auto electronics represents the sector with most rapid growth in the auto industry and is the sector with the best opportunity to create brilliant production value in Taiwan's auto industry. Taiwanese electronics firms now focus on the development of key auto electronic components, aiming to become first-tier suppliers for the U.S. auto firms. Backed by Taiwan's strong semiconductor industry and opto-electronics industry, several items carry especially strong development potential, including LED components for auto body, sensors, MCU (microcontroller), and steering information-system components.