TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Economic Affairs said Tuesday that this year’s Taiwan Business Alliance Conference attracted NT$160 billion (US$5.2 billion) in investment commitments from 25 foreign companies, underscoring Taiwan’s appeal as a global investment hub, per CNA.

The annual event brought together more than 200 representatives from domestic and international companies, as well as business associations from Europe, the US, and Japan. Senior executives from major multinationals, including HP, Applied Materials, Integris, NXP Semiconductors, Itochu, Nitto, and Hitachi Advanced Technologies, were among the attendees.

The MOEA said letters of intent signed at the conference cover sectors such as advanced materials, power systems, sustainability, and public services.

Companies committing to new projects include Eaton, which plans to expand power-system production capacity; Ecolab, which will establish a research and design center; and Corning, Solvay, and the Nittobo Group, which will increase production of semiconductor- and AI-related materials. South Korea’s Komico will also set up a factory and R&D center for precision equipment parts.

In the consumer sector, European mobility company Bolt announced its entry into the Taiwan market, while Japanese yakiniku chain Monogatari plans to invest NT$2.5 billion over five years to open 40 branches. Japanese retailer Tsutaya intends to build a cultural space in Yilan, and Panasonic is constructing a new logistics center in Kaohsiung.

The conference also featured a business-matchmaking session focused on the semiconductor and healthcare industries. Six Taiwanese firms, including Sensortek, Mirle Automation, and Everbot, showcased technologies and explored collaboration opportunities with foreign investors.

Deputy Economics Minister Chiang Wen-jo (江文若) highlighted Taiwan’s outlook, citing the Asian Development Bank’s revised 2025 growth forecast of 5.1% and Taiwan’s sixth-place ranking in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Rankings.

Chiang added that the government’s “Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan” will be extended to 2027 and expanded to include foreign firms. She said Taiwan aims to strengthen its role as a trusted global supply-chain partner while fostering win-win cooperation in semiconductors, optoelectronics, and artificial intelligence.