Closer cross-Straits ties attract more intl investment in Taiwan: Ma

TAIPEI - Positive developments in cross-Straits relations have led more international firms to invest in Taiwan in hopes of tapping into mainland and Asian markets, Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou said during a business forum on Wednesday.

Closer cross-Straits ties, together with Taiwan's favorable geographical condition, innovative market, human resources and industry clusters, are the key factors attracting international investment, Ma said at the 2014 Taiwan Business Alliance Conference in Taipei.

Investment from overseas surged 29.4 percent from 3.812 billion US dollars in 2010 to 4.933 billion US dollars in 2013, Ma cited data from the island's economic authority.

The conference, now in its 11th year, has attracted record investment from international firms, according to Taiwan's economic authority, also organizer of the event.

This year, a total of 61 overseas companies expressed interest in making new investments in Taiwan, among which 23 have signed letters of intent totalling 97 billion New Taiwan dollars (about 3.19 billion US dollars) in the island's manufacturing, retailing, finance and tourism industries.