For Immediate Release: November 4, 2004
DBEDT Release News 04-34

HONOLULU--Commercial real estate in Hawaii could receive a boost from Taiwan as the result of a DBEDT trade mission planned from December 13–15 at the Taipei World Trade Center. The trade mission will include a seminar for Taiwan investors entitled "Real Estate Investment Opportunities in Hawaii."

"We're reaching beyond Hawaii to stimulate investment in our real estate industry," said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu, who will lead the Taiwan Mission. "Since Taiwan investors have shown a great deal of interest in acquiring property in our state, we’re trying to form partnerships with our Hawaii firms that are seeking a source of funding."

To date, DBEDT has located roughly a dozen projects that may be attractive to Taiwan investors.

"The state is particularly interested in presenting projects that involve agricultural land; that are a good "fit" for a Taiwan investor, such as the start of an aquacultural farm; or provide an influx of capital to real estate construction companies," Liu said.

Alex Lei, the Executive Director of DBEDT's Taipei office, reports that more than 60 investors, bankers and immigration consultants in Taiwan have already signed up for the seminar.

"We've scheduled networking opportunities and one-on-one meetings," Lei said. "We want to give project developers maximum exposure to our Taiwan financial community."

The deadline for signing up for the trade mission is November 19.

For additional information, Hawaii companies should contact DBEDT's Alex Ho by phone at 587-2760 or by email at alexho@dbedt.hawaii.gov.

For more information, contact:
Dave Young
Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov