Taipei, May 16, 2008 (CENS)--Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation (TSEC) recently sponsored a "2008 Taiwanese Enterprises Symposium, Malaysia" in Kuala Lumpur, hosted by chairman Wu Rong-I, to communicate with Taiwanese firms over the bourse`s strategic plan to attract overseas companies back to list in Taiwan.

The visit to Malaysia follows a series of visits to New York, London, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Hong Kong in 2007, and the Middle East, Vietnam and Thailand in 2008. TSEC said Taiwan is the third-largest overseas investor in Malaysia, with investments totaling US$9.87 billion.

Participants in the "2008 Taiwanese Enterprises Symposium, Malaysia" included 43 companies and three journalists. Wu spoke in detail of the "123 Plan for attracting overseas companies" which was approved by Taiwan`s Executive Yuan, and analyzed the benefits of listing in Taiwan to overseas companies.

According to statistics compiled by the World Federation of Exchanges, the Taiwan stock market performed better than Southeast Asian markets in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand in terms of market capitalization and transaction volume, last year.

The stock markets in Singapore, Hong Kong and mainland China plunged 20.29%, 23.1% and 13% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, respectively. On the other front, Taiwan`s stock market grew 3% annually during the same period. "There is an upward trend for Taiwan`s exports, proving that the island is less affected by the downturn in the U.S.," Wu noted.

In the face of intense competition in the international financial community, the TSEC is proactive in enlarging its own scale by pushing for more companies to list on domestic bourse. The TSEC said it can provide overseas Taiwanese firms with a list of underwriters and accountants who are seasoned in assisting companies for listing. If companies follow the listing schedule to locate underwriters and accountants, it is expected that they could by listed within a year at a low listing cost.

TSEC said it would continue its campaign to attract overseas companies to list in Taiwan, and act as the bridge between high-tier companies and international investors. It will strive to build TSEC as an ideal fundraising and trading platform by building global service networks for Taiwanese companies, amending related status and making the listing criteria for overseas companies.

Founded in 1961, the TSEC works with the Cabinet-level Financial Supervisory Commission to regulate Taiwan`s stock market, enhance market transparency and improve market infrastructure. It currently offers a trading platform for stocks, warrants, exchange traded funds (ETFs), Taiwan depository receipts (TDRs) and corporate bonds.
(by Ben Shen)