THE MANILA ECONOMIC and Cultural Office, the country’s representative office in Taiwan, expects $121 million in new infusions from Taiwanese investors, particularly in the fields of manufacturing and construction, agribusiness and energy.
Antonio Basilio, Meco resident representative, said the group was following up investment leads worth $97 million for various projects in Northern Mindanao.
He said Taiwanese investors were interested in plunking cash into solar and wind energy projects in the area, as well as in biofuel processing, auto parts manufacturing, leather and steel production, mariculture and food processing.
Meco was likewise keen on getting $24 million worth of Taiwanese investments for aluminum coil, pipe, stainless steel, and light manufacturing in the Subic and Clark freeport zones, he said.
Taiwanese businesses had also expressed interest in setting up manufacturing facilities for antibiotic capsules and electric blankets, as well as in undertaking various construction projects in the area, he added.
The group would not just be targeting large investments, however, he said.
Meco was also keen on attracting Taiwanese investors operating in the micro sector, including food cooperatives.
To jack up interest in the country, he said Meco would be holding the Taipei Investments Summit, to be attended by representatives from the Cagayan de Oro Electric Power and Light Co., Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering, and Taiwan External Trade Council.
Meco’s trade and investment team also headed the Visayas Trade and Investment Mission to Taiwan from Nov. 2-7, and would lead an investment mission to General Santos and Sarangani next month, he added.
In Taiwan, he said Meco’s extension offices in Taichung and Kaohsiung also launched missions to attract Taiwanese investments.
The Central Taiwan-based Taichung team led the fact-finding trips of Long Dianne Biotechnology to Palawan to explore the possibility of cultivating red grouper, and that of Hwa Neng Biotechnology to look at the feasibility of setting up jatropha castor bean nurseries.
