Eleven Taiwan companies registered in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone in the first month of 2013, according to an official from the registration office of Pingtan county's industrial and commercial bureau, Pingtan Times reported on Jan 31.

The total registered capital of the companies reached $2.02 million, with investments valued at $2.08 million. These companies alone accounted for 23 percent of all Taiwan companies registered in the pilot zone in 2012, thanks to the preferential investment policies granted to Pingtan.

The pilot zone will also take measures to simplify registration procedures for Taiwan companies in 2013 in addition to the 16 registration privileges approved by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

Newly registered foreign-invested companies totaled 1,031 in 2012, a year-on-year increase of 54.8 percent. The number of total foreign companies in the pilot zone increased to 2,894 with registered capital of 25.33 billion yuan ($4.07 billion).

The "direct registration procedure" granted to Pingtan has helped Taiwan-invested enterprises settle in the area. In 2012, Pingtan welcomed 48 more Taiwan-invested enterprises to the pilot zone, reaching a grand total of 93.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Michael Thai