Taiwan’s improving business environment received another vote of confidence with a memorandum of understanding concluded Jan. 12 between the Council for Economic Planning and Development and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets Inc.
Signed by CEPD Minister Christina Y. Liu and MIRA Senior Managing Director Ben Way in Taipei, the deal will see CEPD provide the New York-based firm with detailed information on all infrastructure projects open to foreign investment and relevant regulations, according to the CEPD.
“The MOU with MIRA will facilitate and enhance Taiwan’s infrastructure development,” said CEPD Minister Christina Y. Liu. “We hope the partnership will help Taiwan become more connected to the rest of the world.”
The two sides will set up a work team to help identify appropriate investment targets for MIRA, Liu said, adding that CEPD will fast-track the procedure by coordinating government resources to provide all necessary assistance.
“We believe that Taiwan is an excellent destination for investment to continue to build and grow infrastructure in this market,” said Way, adding that MIRA’s business experience in Taiwan has been very positive for the past seven years.
“Signing the MOU today is a further step in building that relationship in Taiwan to enable MIRA to identify and start working on promising projects,” he added.
“The government has been keen on engaging global investors to take part in the i-Taiwan 12 infrastructure projects, as Taiwan will benefit greatly from their management expertise and global experience,” said Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Yeh Kuang-shih, who also witnessed the signing ceremony.
Yeh said the MOTC welcomes MIRA to consider three projects in particular: the Kaohsiung Intercontinental Container Terminal, passenger terminal at Keelung Harbor and the Taoyuan Aerotropolis.
Part of the Sydney-based Macquarie Group Ltd., MIRA manages a range of direct asset funds including infrastructure, real estate and private equity. A distinctive global leader of similar funds, the firm has operations in 23 countries, with US$92 billion of assets under management.
According to the CEPD, the company has invested US$1 billion in local infrastructure projects such as broadband communications, wind power generation and harbor terminals. (HZW)
