Facts "After Tianjin's Binhai New Area was included in the nation's overall development strategy last year, many Taiwan businessmen came to seek new opportunities." By Professor Cao Xiaoheng, director of Taiwan Institute of Economic Research in Nankai University

(Enorth.com.cn)Businessmen from Taiwan Province frequently visit Tianjin, an industrial center in northern China, and show much interest in the port city’s Binhai New Area in the past months.

In July, an economic and trade delegation consisting of Taiwan businessmen in aviation, electronics, tourism and hospitality and service industries arrived in Tianjin to inspect the Binhai New Area. In August, 2006 forum for young entrepreneurs across the Taiwan Straits as well as those from Hong Kong and Macao was held in the Binhai New Area. In September, Taiwan Loyal Group, a leading provider of expandable polystyrene (EPS), launched a celebration ceremony for the company’s 30th founding anniversary and the start of its new project in the city’s port industrial zone.

“After Tianjin’s Binhai New Area was included in the nation’s overall development strategy last year, many Taiwan businessmen came to seek new opportunities,” said Professor Cao Xiaoheng, director of Taiwan Institute of Economic Research in Nankai University.

Statistics from Taiwan Affairs Office of the Tianjin Municipal People's Government show that as of the end of August this year, Tianjin has approved the establishment of 1,866 Taiwan-funded enterprises with a contracted foreign capital of US$4.55 billion. More than 80 percent of the enterprises have earned profits, making Tianjin one of the places where Taiwan businessmen gain highest return on investment.

Deeply rooted in Tianjin

“The fact that the Binhai New Area was included in the overall national development strategy inspires enterprises located in Tianjin and brings enterprises rare opportunities to develop to a new height.” said Teng Hongnian, deputy general manager of Ting Hsin International Group. “With the improvement of infrastructure as well as development in logistics and information, we are confident our company will further develop by taking the advantage.”

Ever since 1992, Ting Hsin set up a factory in Tianjin Economic Technological Development Area (TEDA) to produce Mr.Kon's Instant Noodle. With sound investment services provided by the development area, one of its product Mr. Kon’s Instant Noodle developed very fast with its production lines increased from three to 100 and a daily producing capability of 25 million bags of instant noodle. Mr. Kon’s Instant Noodle has created a total revolution for instant food in china. “The success made in Tianjin has strengthened Ting Hsin’s resolution to grow its roots in the city,” said Teng. In 1997, Ting Hsin moved its headquarters to Tianjin and also set up its research center here. Ting Hsin is the first international company based both its headquarter and research center in Tianjin. Ever since then, Mr. Kon’s Instant Noodle presents more series with a variety of taste options every year.

Like Ting Hsin, Inventec Multimedia & Telecom (Tianjin) Co Ltd develops fast in Tianjin since its establishment in the city’s TEDA with an investment of US$9.5 million and an area of 8,000 square meters in 2002. The company is actively involved in such fields as computer, telecommunication, network and multimedia.

Currently, there are more than 400 Taiwan-funded enterprises in TEDA where more than a thousand Taiwan compatriots working and living.

“The Binhai New Area is being turned into a modern manufacturing and research base and an international shipping and logistic center in north China. The new area becomes the best place for the new round of Taiwan investment in Bohai Sea Rim Region,” said Sun Zhijun, deputy manager of human resource department of Inventec Multimedia & Telecom (Tianjin) Co, Ltd.

Presently, Taiwan businessmen mainly invest in manufacturing. More than 80 percent contracted Taiwan capitals went to industrial projects, among which, nearly 30 percent was in the electron information industry.

·台商目光聚焦滨海新区 北扩投资步伐加快