2011-02-24 13:28

TAIPEI - Chen Yunlin, the Chinese mainland chief negotiator with Taiwan, discussed industrial cooperation and conducted a market study on the investment environment with the island's business sector on Wednesday.

The visit aims to help mainland companies enter the island's market and drive the growth of mainland investment in Taiwan.

Chen, the president of the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), led a 50-member delegation comprised of company executives. He arrived in Taipei at the invitation of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chiang Pin-kung to start a six-day tour.

At a seminar attended by more than 80 officials and business people from both sides, Chen said that the visit, which was the first of its kind, was aimed at setting up a platform for exchanging experiences, sharing knowledge and exploring business opportunities for enterprises across the Strait in order to deepen cross-Straits economic cooperation.

Chen previously visited the island for talks between the ARATS and the SEF, which was authorized by the two sides to handle cross-Straits affairs.

He told the seminar that the situation of the mainland's investment in Taiwan "has not been perfect" and that the mainland's businesses should do more to increase investment in the island this year.

"The mainland always encouraged its enterprises to invest on the island, but due to various reasons the two sides did not achieve mutual investment and free flow of production factors until June 2009," Chen said.

Mainland statistics show that 73 mainland enterprises have invested on the island, with $151 million, which is expected to increase steadily.

"Mainland business executives coming to Taiwan this time will learn about regulations and the business environment," he said, adding that business people on both sides are expected to understand each other's situation and enhance mutual communication so that more mainland capital would be invested on the island in the near future.

Chen said he hoped Taiwan authorities would create a sound investment environment for mainland companies, expanding their investment scope and diversifying investment forms.

He also said that cross-Straits cooperation in emerging industries should be strengthened, as both the mainland and Taiwan had revealed plans to develop emerging industries in their economic and social development outlines.

Both Taiwan and the mainland recorded about 10 percent economic growth last year. "Rapid economic development on both sides laid a sound foundation for cooperation," Chen said.

Chiang noted that the island's government is currently taking measures to attract more mainland investment.

At the seminar, Taiwan's economic officials briefed mainland company executives on regulations, measures and plans to promote cooperation for emerging industries.

During the tour, the mainland delegation will also visit ports, industrial parks, enterprises and farmers' associations in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Chiayi and Yunlin in the middle and southern part of the island.

On Thursday morning, the delegation will go to Kaohsiung. They will leave the island by next Monday.