Taiwan, China: Investing

FDI in Figures

Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in 2021 were USD 1.58 trillion, up 64 per cent from the exceptionally low level in 2020. The recovery showed significant rebound momentum, with booming merger and acquisition (M&A) markets and rapid growth in international project finance because of loose financing conditions and major infrastructure stimulus packages. However, the global environment for international business and cross-border investment changed dramatically in 2022. The war in Ukraine – on top of the lingering effects of the pandemic – is causing a triple food, fuel and finance crisis in many countries around the world. Investor uncertainty could put significant downward pressure on global FDI in 2022. The 2021 growth momentum is unlikely to be sustained. Indeed, world flows in the second quarter of 2022, the latest data available, were down 31% from the first quarter and 7% less than the quarterly average of 2021 (UNCTAD Global Investment Trends Monitor, October 2022). The negative trend reflects a shift in investor sentiment due to the food, fuel and finance crises around the world, the Ukraine war, rising inflation and interest rates, and fears of a coming recession. Expectations for the full year are for a marked slowdown. In developing Asia, despite successive waves of COVID-19, FDI rose to an all-time high for the third consecutive year, reaching $619 billion. Asia is the largest recipient region, accounting for 40 per cent of global FDI. However, inflows remain highly concentrated; six economies account for more than 80 per cent of FDI to the region (UNCTAD, October 2022).

According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2022, FDI flows to Taiwan stood at USD 6.05 billion in 2020, compared to 8.24 billion in 2019 and 5.40 billion in 2021. The stock of FDI was about USD 110.50 billion in 2020 and 115.91 billion in 2021.  In an uncertain global environment due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Taiwan's FDI performance was impressive. According to Taiwan's official statistics, 1,313 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects totaling USD 2.3 billion were approved from January to June 2021. As for inbound investment from mainland China, 20 cases were approved with an amount of USD 2.7 million from January to June 2021 (Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan, 2021). The Netherlands, the British Virgin Islands and Japan are the largest investors in the country (excluding investment from Mainland China). Manufacturing, financial services, and IT attract most foreign investment. While Europe and Taiwan have a wealth of similar interests, the investment relationship between the two has become decidedly lopsided in recent years. Led by the Netherlands—historically the largest single source of FDI in Taiwan—the EU has become the foremost investor in Taiwan, accounting for 38.8 percent of total FDI in Taiwan in 2021. Taiwan's finance, wholesale and retail, and electronics sectors remain top targets of inward FDI. Taiwan slso attracts a wide range of U.S. investors, including in advanced technology, digital, traditional manufacturing, and services sectors.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into Taiwan in the first half of 2022 rose 275% from a year earlier, hitting more than USD 8 billion and paving the way for 2022's FDI to reach a 15-year high (Nikkei Asia, 2022).

Taiwan is an attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) as its economy benefits from regional economic dynamism, a population with high purchasing power and the prominence of high-tech. However, the global economic crisis, the subsequent Eurozone crisis and the slowdown in China have negatively impacted FDI flows. Speculative activities, rising house prices, excessive bureaucracy and the rigidity of the legislative framework are all obstacles to investment. Nonetheless, Taiwan's business environment remains very attractive. Taiwan has one of the world’s best regulatory system for protecting minority investors (transparency). In 2019, Taiwan made paying taxes costlier by increasing the corporate income tax rate.

The latest United NationAsia-Pacific Trade and Investment Trends Report provides additional information on FDI in Asia-Pacific in 2022 and 2023.

What to consider if you invest in Taiwan, China

Protection of Foreign Investment

Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment

Freedom of Establishment

Foreign entities are entitled to establish and own business enterprises and engage in all forms of remunerative activity as local companies. However, Taiwan maintains a negative list of industries closed to foreign investment for reasons related to national security and environmental protection (e.g. public utilities, power distribution, natural gas, postal service, telecommunications, mass media, and air and sea transportation).

Acquisition of Holdings

A majority holding interest in the capital of a Taiwanese company is legal. However the foreign ownership limit on wireless and fixed line telecommunications firms is 60%, including a direct foreign investment limit of 49%. A foreign ownership cap of less than 50% applies on airport ground services firms, air-catering companies, aviation transportation businesses (airlines), and general aviation businesses (commercial helicopters and business jet planes), with a separate limit of 25% for any single foreign investor. Foreign investment in Taiwan-flagged merchant shipping services is limited to 50% for Taiwan shipping companies operating international routes. Furthermore, there is a foreign ownership limit of 49.99% for satellite television broadcasting services and piped distribution of natural gas, and a 49% limit for high-speed rail services.
Specific restrictions apply to Chinese investors.

Obligation to Declare

The Investment Commission screens applications for FDI, mergers, and acquisitions. Foreign investors must submit an application form containing the funding plan, business operation plan, entity registration, and documents certifying the inward remittance of investment funds. If an investment fails review, an investor may re-apply once the reason for the denial has been removed.

Competent Organisation For the Declaration

Investment Commission (MOEAIC)

Requests For Specific Authorisations

All investments are subject to screening, with the approval time generally ranging between two to four days for small investments (under TWD 500 million) to 20-30 days for foreign investments involving cross-border mergers and acquisitions or other special situations. The screening process may also include an assessment of the impact of proposed investments on a sector’s competitive landscape and protection of the rights of local shareholders and employees.

Office Real Estate and Land Ownership

Possible Temporary Solutions

Consult InstantOffices, CoWorker, MatchOffice, etc.

The Possibility of Buying Land and Industrial and Commercial Buildings

Taiwan guarantees land rights to foreigners on a reciprocity base (Taiwanese citizens have to enjoy the same rights in the country of origin of the investor). However, Taiwan’s Land Act stipulated that forests, fisheries, hunting grounds, salt fields, mineral deposits, sources of water, and lands lying within fortified and military areas and those adjacent to national frontiers may not be transferred or leased to foreigners.

Risk of Expropriation

Expropriation can be justified only for public interest and fair compensation must be given within a reasonable period.
No foreign-invested firm has ever been nationalized or expropriated in Taiwan. Under Taiwan law no venture with 45% or more foreign investment can be nationalized for a period of 20 years after the venture is established.

Investment Aid

Forms of Aid

FDI incentives may take the form of tax exemption, tax credit, tax deferral, low interest loans, land lease incentives, R&D subsidies, etc.

Privileged Domains

Taiwanese authorities have been promoting the “5+2 Innovative Industries” development program targeting industries including smart machinery, biomedicine, Internet of Things (IoT), green energy, and national defence, as well advanced agriculture, circular economy, and semiconductors.

Privileged Geographical Zones

Incentives tend to be focused on investment in the manufacturing sector, advanced technology, public construction, biotechnology and R&D. For further information, consult the section "Key Industries for Investment Promotion" on the invest Taiwan portal.

Free-trade zones

There are seven free trade/free port zones:  Anping, Kaohsiung, Keelung, Suao, Taichung, Taipei, and Taoyuan International Airport.
Taiwan has also over 70 industry clusters devoted to manufacturing products like Hsin Chu, Tainam. Further information can be retrieved on the Economic Geographic Information System (in Chinese).

Public aid and funding organisations

Consult the section "Investment Aid System" on the website of Invest Taiwan. Further information can be accessed here.

Investment Opportunities

The Key Sectors of the National Economy

Finance, wholesale and retail, and electronics sectors.

High Potential Sectors

Advanced technology, digital, traditional manufacturing, and services sectors.

Privatization Programmes

There are no privatization programs in progress. As of 2020, there are 17 state-owned companies with stakes by the central authorities exceeding 50%. Taiwan authorities retain control over some formerly state enterprises that have been privatized (often through the appointments of the boards of directors), including: Chunghwa Telecom, China Steel, China Airlines, Taiwan Fertilizer, Taiwan Salt, CSBC Corporation (shipbuilding), Yang Ming Marine Transportation, and eight public banks.
n August 2017, Taiwan authorities identified CPC Corporation, Taipower Company, and Taiwan Sugar as their next privatization targets; however, currently there is no timetable for privatising existing state-owned enterprises.

Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement

Tenders Info, Tenders in Taiwan Province of China
Asian Development Bank, Procurement Plans in Asia
DgMarket, Tenders Worldwide

Sectors Where Investment Opportunities Are Fewer

Monopolistic Sectors

Some of the 17 existing state-owned companies are large in scale and exert significant influence in their industries, especially monopolies such as Taiwan Power (Taipower) and Taiwan Water. Furthermore, CPC Corporation (formerly China Petroleum Corporation) controls over 70% of Taiwan’s gasoline retail market.

Finding Assistance For Further Information

Investment Aid Agency

Invest Taiwan (Ministry of Economic Affairs)

Other Useful Resources

Ministry of Economic Affairs
Taiwan External Trade Development Council

Doing Business Guides

Doing Business in Taiwan Guide (Thomson Reuters)
Doing Business in Taiwan - World Bank
Doing Business in Taiwan - UHY

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