The Export Processing Zones--unique Republic of China institutions--promote economic development of the country. It has been nearly ten years since the Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone was dedicated on December 3, 1966. Since then, two more zones were set up in Taiwan. Export processing zones combine the functions of an industrial park and a free trade zone. They have greatly encouraged capital investment from abroad and also expanded foreign trade. In recent years many developing nations have sent representatives to visit the EPZ's. Teams from the Republic of China have been invited to help establish similar zones in other countries, including Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Jordan.
There were 292 export enterprises in the three Export Processing Zones, as of June 1976. The total investments in the three zones exceed US$186,557,000, more than three times the original goal. Electronics is the leading category of enterprise, followed by plastics, metal products, knitted goods, garments and handicrafts. Sixty-seven percent of the investments comes from foreign capital, 18% from domestic capital and 15% from overseas Chinese. The total exports since the establishment of the first EPZ amounted to US$2,283,571,000, as of June, 1976. The products were exported to 92 countries. North America was the largest market, constituting 48%.
In addition to inducing capital investment and expanding foreign trade, the export processing zones also have created job opportunities and raised technological standards in the Republic of China. Services to the investors include simplification of investment procedures and duty-free import of machinery. Investment applications, company registrations, visas for imports and exports, and licences for plant construction are all handled at one place at the EPZ administration by the delegated representatives from the government organizations concerned. Banks, customs, taxation, post office and telecommunications departments all have branch offices in the EPZ to serve investors.
The International Commercial Bank of China
Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone
Transportation Service Center
Vehicles for carrying containment cargoes
Exhibition of finished garments
Exhibition of finished garments
Eye examination at the Health Center
An exercise in fire fighting
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