Ten foreign firms have confirmed their intention to invest nearly TWD90bn (USD2.86bn) between them in Taiwan over the next three years, according to Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua. The said foreign companies have signed letters of intent with the Ministry at an annual global investment forum in Taipei. The companies include French industrial gas firm Air Liquide SA; Lam Research Corp, a US manufacturer of equipment used to make semiconductors; and Nitto Denko Corp, a Japanese manufacturer of insulating materials, Wang said. The minister said the agreement shows foreign companies’ confidence in Taiwan’s investment environment. International companies have invested more than USD3.3bn in Taiwan over the past three years.