Taipei, April 18 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu called during a tour of an industrial park in southern Taiwan Thursday for government assistance in helping domestic businesses relocate overseas.
Speaking at a seminar for businesses based in the Neipu Industrial District in Pingtung County, Lu urged the Industrial Development Bureau under the Ministry of Economic Affairs to quickly work out a set of comprehensive measurers to help those domestic companies planning to relocate overseas.
Most of the companies headquartered in the complex are traditional businesses such as garment makers and locksmiths, which are troubled by a serious labor shortage and rising production costs.
In addition, Lu contended, the bureau should also provide domestic businesses with up to date trade information and market assessments of other countries. She also said that the government is responsible for seeking outlets for Taiwan-based businesses at a time when the global economy is gradually recovering.
As to widespread concern over the massive relocations to mainland China by domestic companies, Lu said that mainland China is not the sole option for Taiwan businesses looking to relocate overseas and claimed that Central and South America are "just as good." Lu said she has suggested to the presidents of some Central and South American countries that they offer more handsome incentives such as leasing land and factories to Taiwan businesses to attract greater amounts of capital from them.