January 19, 2004 – Foreign investments in Taiwan are predicted to be as much as $1.39 billion in 4Q03, a 39% jump from 4Q02 and the highest quarterly level in two years, according to government figures reported by Dow Jones. Foreign investment approvals for all of 2003 were $3.58 billion, up 9% from the $3.27 billion reported in 2002.

Among the main targets for investment was Inotera, the JV between Infineon Technologies and Nanya Technology, which received approval to receive $130.5 million from Infineon, which was the fourth largest overseas investor for the year.

Investment regulators also approved $963.6 million worth of investments in Taiwan’s electronic sector in 2003, 45% year-on-year.

Meanwhile, the Taiwanese government approved $4.59 billion in corporate investments in China in 2003, up from $3.86 billion in 2002, with nearly half earmarked for China’s electronics sector.