Plans by a growing number of international technology companies to begin designing their own semiconductor products – and by governments to develop domestic chipmaking capabilities – could bring some disruption to the market. Yet Taiwan’s ability to produce chips efficiently and at a relatively low cost should ensure its continued growth and success. Taiwan’s production…
Migrant Worker Entry Ban Lifted The Ministry of Labor (MOL) granted Indonesian migrant workers entry to Taiwan in November, ending an entry ban that had been in place since December 2020. The MOL indicated that Thailand will likely be the next country exempted from the ban, followed by Vietnam and the Philippines. According to the…
J. Michael Cole’s comprehensive new book describes the numerous and complex challenges facing Taiwan, as well as the Tsai Ing-wen administration’s measured, pragmatic approach to handling them. In Cross-Strait Relations Since 2016: The End of the Illusion, Taipei-based policy analyst J. Michael Cole provides readers with a nuanced account of President Tsai’s strategic approach to…
Steep Growth Rate Projected For 2021 The Directorate-General of Budgeting, Accounting and Statistics has forecast economic growth of 5.88% for this year, which would be the highest growth rate Taiwan has achieved in 11 years. The private Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) announced a forecast of just a slightly lower 5.84%. In another strong…
Hon Hai Unveils First EV Models At its 2021 Hon Hai Tech Day, Hon Hai Precision Industrial Co. – better known as Foxconn – unveiled three electric vehicle prototypes: The Model C SUV, Model E sedan, and Model T electric bus. The vehicles are part of a new “Foxtron” joint venture between Foxconn and the…
Wage Hike For Public Workers Approved The Executive Yuan in late October approved a nearly 4% wage hike for public workers, to take effect in 2022. The hike marks the biggest increase in government salary levels in over two decades, and will apply to civil servants, teachers, and military personnel. The salary adjustment comes as the…
Taiwan Places Bid to Enter CPTPP The Executive Yuan on September 23 announced Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), applying as the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu, the name it uses to participate in the World Trade Organization (WTO). The CPTPP was signed in…
