A weekly snapshot of Taiwan business news stories brought to you by CommonWealth and AmCham Taiwan’s TOPICS Inbound FDI Drops by Over 18% in 2021 The Investment Commission announced on January 20 that it approved 2,711 foreign direct investment (FDI) applications in 2021, a 20.68% decrease from the year before. FDI last year totaled US$7.48…

Aiyu and mesona jellies and shaved ice, snacks ubiquitous at night markets and storefronts across Taiwan, have been popular with Taiwanese palates for over a century. The enduring popularity of these treats is closely tied to the island’s unique history. Taiwanese have been enjoying refreshing dessert-like snacks since long before refrigerators became commonplace. One such…

The lucrative industry of hand-shaken tea beverages has received attention from the Taiwan government, human rights groups, and the island’s many entrepreneurs. But with the growing politicization of the businesses that make these drinks, a “good cup of tea” has taken on a new meaning. Taiwan tea – above all, high mountain tea, known as…

After surviving the harrowing mid-2021 local COVID-19 outbreak, the capital’s foreign restaurateurs are cautiously optimistic about the coming year. Herban Kitchen was having a stellar 2021. With Taiwan a safe haven from pandemic-induced turmoil, the Taipei vegetarian restaurant hit a three-year sales high in early May. Not only were regulars packing the restaurant, but veggie-loving…