"Taiwan - the so-called 'other China' - is an overlooked gem," says Martin Hutchinson, contributing editor to the top-notch Money Morning.

"With a per capita income of nearly $30,000, and a productivity growth rate of 4% -- more than double the rates enjoyed by Europe and the United States -- Taiwan is one of the world's best bargains." Here, the advisor looks at ways to invest in Taiwan.

"There's no question that the Taiwanese economy is highly dependent on China. Indeed, fully 38% of Taiwan's exports go to China - including Hong Kong - while 16% of Taiwan's imports originate on the mainland."

"Taiwan's inflation rate is a paltry 3%, government spending accounts for a mere 21% of the country's economic activity and the country runs a hefty balance-of-payments surplus. Unlike China, there are no signs of major problems in Taiwan's banking system.

"Thus, even though Taiwan's growth rate is lower than China's 'official' growth rate, the greater stability of Taiwan's economy ought to make the shares of Taiwan-based companies trade at a premium to those based in China. But that's not the case. Instead, Taipei trades at less than half the earnings multiple of Shanghai.

Continue reading Taiwan: Invest in the 'other' China

Taiwan: Invest in the 'other' China originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.