Taiwan investors keen on RP

Taiwanese investors have expressed strong interest in investing in the Philippines, Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II said yesterday.

Following a series of meetings with various Taiwanese business groups in Taipei over the past two days, Roxas reported that most Taiwanese businessmen are interested in investing in the information technology and other IT-related services in the country.

Roxas also met with Theodore Huang, chairman of Taiwan’s biggest business chamber – the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce.

Roxas said he conveyed to Taiwanese businessmen the advantages of locating their IT investments in the Philippines.

"The Philippines has become competitive vis-a-vis other countries in terms of IT-related services," Roxas said. "Filipino IT professionals enjoy a big edge particularly in the area of software development because of their proficiency in English and skills," he added.

Huang, for his part, reportedly noted that the Philippines’ proximity to Taiwan and other major markets makes it an ideal investment destination for Taiwanese businessmen compared to other areas like Central America where Taiwanese investors also have sizeable business interests.

Huang said that "other areas like Central America are just too far from Taiwan and are not suitable for its industrial needs."

Huang, who also heads the Taiwan Economic Cooperation Office, or the TECO group, assured Roxas that his group will consider the Philippines as a site for the TECO group’s expanded IT operations.

The TECO group has some investments in Subic and is the developer of the Nankang Software Park.