business, finance & tech
Automakers’ Reliance on Taiwan Chips Sparks Discussion
Taiwan Business Topics
An unexpected surge in demand left car manufacturers in some major markets scrambling to make up for a shortage of automotive chips.
A Battle of Wills? China’s Tech Giants Bypass Apple’s Privacy Tool
Ketagalan
Following several reports, the largest tech companies in China plan to bypass Apple’s new privacy rules that essentially block third-party applications from tracking users’ data.
The Rundown: Property Tax, Ta Ya’s Solar Plans, and Mitsui Chemicals’ Increased Investment
Taiwan Business Topics
The Legislative Yuan on April 9 passed the third and final reading of amendments to the Income Tax Act that aim to revise property tax rates.
Updating Taiwan’s Banking System with Fintech
Taiwan Business Topics
The Financial Supervisory Commission’s new action plan includes goals related to data liberalization, encouraging disruption and innovation, and talent development.
The Rundown: Water Shortage, Air Liquide Expansion, and Global Bike Demand
Taiwan Business Topics
While Taiwan relies on typhoons for 60% of its water usage needs, the absence of these severe weather events this past year has resulted the island’s worst water shortage in over five decades.
Is it Taiwan's Turn to Invest in Space?
Taiwan Insight
It is peculiar that, from a technological standpoint, Taiwan has not launched larger-scale rocket programs. It has a leg up on South Korea’s budding rocketry program in that Taiwan’s program uses solid fuel—a luxury South Korea has only recently been afforded by the United States.
Semiconductor Industry Strategies in Taiwan
Taiwan Insight
The semiconductor industry is strategic to national security and critical to international connections in the high tech and techno-geopolitics era.
Technology Without Authoritarian Characteristics: The Taiwan Model of Combating COVID-19
Taiwan Insight
Nearly ten months after scientists identified COVID-19, China, South Korea, Taiwan, New Zealand, and other countries are seeing a return to semi-normal life.
Despite Economic Growth During Pandemic, Wealth Not Likely to Trick Down
New Bloom
Last month, Taiwan’s Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) announced that it expected the Taiwanese economy to grow by about 1.6% in 2020.
Taiwan’s EV Supply Chain Cranks into High Gear
Taiwan Business Topics
Taiwan has a relatively complete supply chain for electric vehicle components, and companies such as Tesla rely heavily on Taiwanese suppliers.
The Taiwan Auto Industry’s Blockbuster Year
Taiwan Business Topics
Taiwan’s car market experienced substantial sales growth in 2020, recording the highest number of units sold in 15 years.
The Rundown: Fubon Acquisition, Medigen Vaccine, and Nuclear Fuel
Taiwan Business Topics
Fubon Financial Holding Co. announced that it had successfully completed the public tender to acquire a 53.84% stake in Jih Sun Financial Holding, making it the largest company shareholder.
Breaking the Deadlock on Financial Consolidation in Taiwan
Taiwan Business Topics
A proposed acquisition could be a turning point for Taiwan’s overbanked financial services industry.
Is Taiwan Ready for the Hydrogen Economy?
Taiwan Business Topics
The government has yet to include hydrogen in its renewable energy policies, but the private sector is already investing in this fast-growing area.
The Rundown: PSMC Profit Growth, Taipower Corporate Bonds, and Strong PC Sales Revenue
Taiwan Business Topics
Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) announced last Tuesday that it officially turned a profit in 2020, with revenue of NT$45.68 billion (USD$1.62 billion) and a net profit of NT$3.81 billion (USD$135 million) after tax, or $1.23 EPS.
Human Capital Development and Agricultural Aid: A New Model for Taiwan
Taiwan NextGen Foundation
The advent of Agriculture 4.0 technologies is creating a new paradigm where farmers harvest data rather than just plant with a renewed focus on agricultural education and human capital development.
Coffee and Taiwan: Trends, Opportunities and Soft Power Potential
Ketagalan
It would not be inconceivable for homegrown coffee to join the list of Taiwan’s soft power beverages alongside bubble tea and Kavalan whiskey.
The Rundown: TSMC CapEx Increase, Yulon Group Prospects, and E-Billing
Taiwan Business Topics
A weekly snapshot of Taiwan business news stories brought to you by CommonWealth and AmCham Taiwan’s TOPICS
Taiwan Should Keep Its Eyes on the Prize
Taiwan Business Topics
Last month, Central Bank of the Republic of China (CBC) Governor Yang Chin-long spoke to lawmakers regarding the U.S. possibly labeling Taiwan a currency manipulator.
The Rundown: GDP Forecasts, Infrastructure Plan, and Ransomware Attack
Taiwan Business Topics
As the first quarter comes to a close, many economic institutions are raising their forecasts for Taiwan’s 2021 economic growth.
Taiwan Seeks More Foreign Finance Talent
Taiwan Business Topics
Last December, Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) announced the easing of requirements for foreign finance professionals, part of the government’s plans to make Taiwan an Asia-Pacific financial hub.
The Promise of Green Hydrogen
Taiwan Business Topics
Although hydrogen gas emits only water, it does not naturally exist in its pure form and must be generated from another hydrogen-carrying source – usually methane (CH4) – through a process called steam-methane reforming.
The Rundown: APT-FET Deal, Microsoft-Hon Hai Partnership, and FSC Fines Securities Firms
Taiwan Business Topics
Taiwan’s National Communications Commission (NCC) on March 3 approved local telecom operator Far EasTone’s (FET) application to share its 5G bandwidth on the 3.5GHz frequency band with Asia-Pacific Telecom (APT).
COVID 19 Recovery: Notes on Taiwan and the New World Trading Order
Taiwan Insight
The world is nowhere near getting over the COVID pandemic.
From "Silent Teacher" to "Virtual Teacher"
Taiwan Insight
Dating back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Arabia, the study of human anatomy is one of medicine’s oldest disciplines and anatomy courses.