Investment Growth A British bank says Taiwan's economic environment is well-poised to handle increased foreign investment because of its strong fundamentals. Standard Chartered Bank group executive director Jaspal Bindra said that"the fundamental strength of Taiwan is still well known" and that the country is ready for investment growth. He said despite various challenges, such as retaining talented workers and improving the business environment, Taiwan will likely find feasible solutions in time amid an economic transition period. Bindra made his comments during his opening speech at the Taiwan Economic Summit. Peter Sands, group chief executive officer of Standard Chartered, said during a panel discussion at the summit that many people underestimate the strength and potential of Taiwan's economy. Sands said the country is expected to see a shift in its economic fundamentals, with many Taiwanese companies starting to focus investment based on Asian consumer demand rather than relying heavily on Western markets. He suggested that Taiwanese firms allocate more resources to improving their marketing and brand images. (jm)