Taiwan trade mission attracts $100M

Guam - It was described as the most successful trade mission yet and after spending a week in Taiwan, Governor Eddie Calvo and his delegation of community members came back with promising potential of investments for Guam. $100 million is how much potential investment Guam has on the line following the Calvo Administration's trade mission to Taiwan last week.

Accompanying Governor Calvo was chief of staff Frank Arriola, who says several businesses committed to begin operations on Guam in the near future. "There were a couple of restaurateurs who will be opening up shop on Guam," Arriola stated. "There will be a large global electronic retailers who will be opening shop probably in the next three to six months."

Arriola couldn't disclose the names of those interested companies. But other projects include a $5 million solar farm project at the LeoPalace Resort that is being looked at to potentially be used within GovGuam as well, increased flights from China Air and Eva Air that will begin this summer and will continue indefinitely, and working with the largest construction company in Taiwan hoping to set up shop relative to affordable housing projects and the military buildup. The team assured these interested companies that they will assist them along the way in opening doors locally.

"They were asking very detailed questions about the tax structures, what potential tax incentives are there for the investment, the status and state of the utilities and infrastructure, the state of education system, so that if they do decide to come into Guam and invest, they want to make sure that the people they do bring in they will be able to available themselves to those type of services," he continued.

During his trip, Governor Calvo also spent time with Taiwan president Ma Ying-Jeou and Taipei city mayor Dr. Lung Bin Hau as they sought ways to economically and socially align themselves closer to the United States. Arriola says the team's presentation only further solidified confidence in the island. "That Guam we're trying to transform our government and community into a very business friendly environment so that outside investment can come in and get people jobs," said Arriola.

Another trade mission is set for Okinawa and Korea this year.

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