Despite the outbreak of SARS, Taiwanese business people invested 60 million US dollars in establishing 311 enterprises in Guangdong Province in the first three months of this year, up 56 percent and 11 percent year-on-year, respectively.

Guangdong, which has, to date, approved the establishment of 16,300 Taiwanese-financed enterprises with total staff numbering 5 million, is the preferred site for Taiwanese investors, said Gan Zhaosheng, director of the provincial Taiwan Affairs Office.

Since February, the provincial authorities have given priority to the safety of Taiwanese businessmen and have helped Taiwanese enterprises to set up SARS prevention and control measures.

Gan said a survey conducted by his office found no intention ofthe Taiwanese-financed enterprises to change their expansion plans.

In Guangzhou, the provincial capital, alone, some 15 Taiwanese enterprises are planning to either expand existing plants or establish new plants, involving investment of 360 million US dollars.

This article was pubished on 24, May.