Taiwan celebrates its independence anniversary with initiatives in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia will embark on a number of initiatives to mark the 107th independence anniversary of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
These include economic growth, health, investment and tourism, said its representative Anne Hung.
Over the decades, Taiwan had transformed itself into a regional economic powerhouse with a GDP per capita of US$24,402 (RM101,302.46), making it the world's 22nd largest economy, as well as the 18th and 19th largest export and import market.
Its parity purchasing power reached US$52,304 in 2017, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), making it 19th in the world.
"Although Taiwan is not a member of the World Health Organization, Taiwan's medical technology ranked third in the world, after the United States and Germany.
"Taiwan has 14 out of the 200 top ranking hospitals in the world, first in Asia and third in the world," Hung said during the Taiwan National Day reception here today.
According to Taiwan investors in Malaysia, business in Malaysia has several advantages such as market openness, sound infrastructure, financial system and investment policies, a multilingual workforce, political stability and a gateway to reach the rest of the region and beyond.
"All these factors have attracted them to invest in Malaysia since the 90s. Taiwan is Malaysia's fourth biggest foreign direct investor with an accumulated investment of US$12.4 billion," she added.
Meanwhile, Education and tourism exchanges between Taiwan and Malaysia have soared to record highs under the New Southbound Policy.
"The number of Malaysians enrolled at Taiwan colleges and universities reached a record of 17,000 in 2017. Malaysia is our second largest source of overseas students.
"Taiwan received nearly 53,000 visitors from Malaysia in 2017. We are also making strides to become a more Muslim friendly destination and Taiwan was ranked the fifth most Muslim friendly destinations among non-Muslim countries in the latest Global Muslim Travel Index released in April," she added.
Hung also invited Malaysian to the 2018 Taiwan Expo in Malaysia which will be held from Oct 25-27 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre showcasing latest products and solutions from 200 Taiwanese exhibitors.