Oil Prices Are Up And So Are Exports Fuel prices have been rising in Taiwan in recent months, a result of fluctuations in global crude prices brought on by tensions in the Middle East. The latest hikes are tied to the drone strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities that took place in mid-September. Gasoline prices in…
Terry Guo Leaves KMT, Will Not Run in 2020 Former Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou on September 12 resigned from his honorary position in the Kuomintang (KMT), citing the party’s “culture of reactionary politics and backroom horse-trading” as influencing his decision. His departure was criticized by many in the KMT, who argued that he broke the…
Solomon Islands, Kiribati Cut Ties with Taiwan After months of uncertainty regarding whether Taiwan would lose yet another ally to China, the government of the Solomon Islands on September 16 voted to switch diplomatic recognition to the PRC, ending its 36-year formal relationship with Taiwan. Its decision followed statements made by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign…
The private certification program helps companies develop core values and policies that benefit all stakeholders. A growing worldwide trend for companies to certify their commitment to sustainability and accountability has also been gaining traction in Taiwan. Within the past three years, 27 Taiwanese companies have received B Corporation (also known as B Corp) certification, more…
Mayor Ko Establishes new Political Party Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je announced in late July the founding of a new political party. Named the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), a reference to a party of the same name founded by Japanese colonial era democracy activist Chen Wei-shui in the 1920s, the TPP will present an alternative to…
Licenses Approved for Three Online-only Banks The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) on July 30 approved applications for operating licenses submitted by three online-only banks, despite having previously stated that such authorization would be limited to two banks this year. FSC Chairman Wellington Koo announced that the licenses will be issued to Next Bank, whose majority…
Taiwan made headlines this August for a Q2 growth rate of 2.41%, propelling it well ahead of the other three Asian Tigers for the first half. This increase is at least partially attributable to the reshoring of a number of Taiwanese businesses from China, encouraged by government incentives and the ongoing trade war between China…
Sale Of F-16Vs to Taiwan Gets U.S. Approval Following quickly after Taiwan’s US$2.2 billion purchase of tanks, missiles, and other military hardware from the U.S. in July, the Trump administration in August approved the additional US$8 billion sale to Taiwan of 66 F-16V fighter jets, also known as the F-16 Viper. Although in keeping with…
Larger established companies are now among the prospective clients, not just startups. In a new trend in the global coworking industry, a number of major space providers are moving away from the original model of flexible, communal workplaces mostly geared toward entrepreneurs, remote workers, and startups. The new business plan offers comprehensive, customized workplace solutions…
