INGAYEN, Pangasinan - A delegation of Taiwanese officials and businessmen met with Capitol officials here earlier this week to explore investment opportunities in the province, Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. revealed on Saturday. "There has been a clear manifestation of the growing confidence of foreigners in investing in Pangasinan," said Espino as he pointed out that the Taiwanese delegation arrived just weeks after Korean investors visited the province.Provincial Public Information Officer Butch Velasco said the Taiwanese delegation was led by Senator Hsuen-Chang Lu and their interpreter, Jeff Yang, Executive Assistant of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Manila.Velasco said Hsuen-Chang and Espino made unprecedented progress in talks to recognize the province as a hotbed for huge businesses and agricultural trade.
For his part, Espino asked the senator to facilitate the transfer of technology in agriculture and to bring to the province modern agricultural tools and equipment that will sustain this agricultural province's competitive edge in the next decade.On the other hand, Hsuen-Chang invited Espino to visit Taiwan in September to meet their country's Minister of Agriculture for a possible cooperation on agricultural training and technology program.
It is noteworthy that Taiwan, before becoming a multi-million dollar technology-based economy, used to be an agricultural country.Provincial Government Department Heads led by Planning and Development Officer Benita Pizarro presented various visuals to the group showcasing the investment opportunities in the province.
The group particularly expressed interest in putting up a mango processing plant and storage facility even as they lamented the lack of support infrastructures that will propel Pangasinan's export business.Espino responded reassuringly by saying that support facilities and infrastructures such as an airport and a commercial seaport will soon be realized in the province.
