U.S. companies as Taiwan's top investors in first half 2012

Taiwan has attracted $6.903 billion in foreign direct investment in the first half of 2012 with the United States topping the list of investment sources, according to statistics released by the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB).  From January to June, American companies poured $1.858 billion in various local investment projects. Japan is second biggest investor with $906 million inflow, while Australia ranked third with $442 million invested into Taiwan during the six-month period.

Based on the IDB data, the sectors which received the large amount of investments include retail and wholesale, biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has decided to adopt four new strategies to attract investors. The agency hopes to lure at least $10 billion in investment from foreign business groups or Taiwanese expatriates and $1.67 billion from China-based Taiwanese businesspeople, commonly known as "Taishang," next year.

The first strategy will involve the ministry working with accountants, lawyers and investment bankers to woo foreign strategic investors to buy out local companies or form joint ventures. Second strategy is taking active steps to woo China's flagship enterprises to invest in Taiwan. Third, the ministry will organize more roadshows in major countries around the world. The fourth strategy requires the Council for Economic Planning and Development to draw up a comprehensive package of incentives within one month to encourage "Taishang" to invest at home. The incentives will include easing restrictions on the hiring of migrant workers and halving tariffs on machinery imports.