Taipei, Oct. 6 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian urged Taiwan manufacturers Monday to keep their business roots at home and to support his administration's push for further constitutional reforms to consolidate the island's young democracy.
Chen made the appeal in a speech delivered at the joint opening of the ninth annual conference of the World Federation of Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce and the 10th annual conference of the Council of Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in Asia.
Noting that a prosperous Taiwan will contribute to individual business groups' global expansion plans, Chen said he is hopeful that all local business people will give priority to investing in Taiwan and retaining their business roots at home while making forays into the world market.
Chen said his administration has made strenuous efforts to revitalize the domestic economy and attract foreign investments. "All those efforts have paid off, " Chen said, adding that several world-renowned market research firms, including the Swiss Business Environment Risk Intelligence, have given high marks to Taiwan's investment climate and overall national competitiveness.
Since the government launched its six-year "Challenge 2008" national development plan, Chen said, more than 10 famous multinational business groups have set up research and development centers in Taiwan.
In addition, Chen said, more than 250 overseas Taiwan companies have also decided to establish their global operational headquarters on the island by the end of this year.
While corporate Taiwan epitomizes Taiwan's economic strength, Chen said, Taiwan is the root of all Taiwan companies. "And all business people will benefit from a stronger Taiwan."
Chen also said Taiwan's democratic reforms have yet to be completed. "We still have a lot of work to do, ranging from education, judicial and financial overhauls to constitutional reforms, " he stressed, adding that Taiwan must craft a constitutional framework that fits its present realities.
As overseas Taiwan business people have been a pivotal force supporting the nation's economic development and political reform, Chen said he is hopeful that they will support his call to introduce a new constitution for Taiwan.