A small delegation of state and business officials departed for Taiwan yesterday hoping to build business ties with the East Asian nation.

The state expects to spend about $90,000 on the business development mission, which will provide eight local businesses three different venues to show their wares. That cost excludes travel expenses for Hamakua Macadamia Nuts, Kauai Kookie Co., Kona Bluewater Farms and other businesses going on the trip that ends May 1.

Only three state officials are making the trip, according to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The agency said that no private sector sponsorship money was used to finance the trade mission.

Lingle administration officials have come under criticism in the past for funneling money raised from business sponsors through a nonprofit to pay for trip extras such as the travel expenses and honorariums for local entertainers who accompanied the governor.

Gov. Linda Lingle has raised more than $1 million in cash and in-kind contributions from Hawai'i businesses and organizations since 2003 to cover costs related to the trade missions.

Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com.