Urban hotels dependent on global travelers are struggling with low occupancy rates, while rural properties catering to the domestic market are doing a brisk business. By late May, Taiwan had corralled the coronavirus. With no sign of local transmission and minimal imported infections, people began venturing out again. Aside from temperature checks at the door…
Taiwan has built a solid startup ecosystem over the past decade. Now it needs to strengthen its international connections. Recognizing the vital role of startup enterprises in fostering an innovative economy, Taiwan in recent years has put in place many of the pieces necessary to build a dynamic startup ecosystem. The privately invested accelerator AppWorks,…
Taiwan’s ranking by a money-laundering watchdog has risen over the past year, but future efforts will need to address challenges emerging from digitization of the financial sector. Taiwan has significantly strengthened its anti-money laundering regime in recent years, which has been reflected in its improved ranking by a key regional watchdog. In late 2019, the…
Success as a virtual bank in Taiwan would bring the Japanese messaging app closer to super app status In Taiwan, Japanese messaging app LINE is best known for its cartoonish stickers of furry creatures. LINE’s emojis telegraph the kawaii (literally “cute” in Japanese) culture of Japan many Taiwanese adore. Once hooked on the free stickers,…
The virulent contagion illustrates the need for the sector to be regulated, but pressure from industry incumbents could delay the process indefinitely. Home-sharing giant Airbnb has been operating in Taiwan for more than seven years without a physical presence in the country. Business has grown steadily during that period as both Taiwan and Airbnb’s style…
The company will face more constraints under the government’s multi-purpose taxi program than it did partnering with rental-car companies. Uber Technologies’ experience in Taiwan is a cautionary tale that reveals much about how new business models and challenges to industry incumbents are perceived in this market. Although Uber boosted competition, created jobs, and raised the…
The novel coronavirus outbreak is set to do damage to Taiwan’s tech hardware exports, but the severity of the blow will depend on the length of the crisis. Taiwan has undeniably reaped some benefits from the U.S.-China trade dispute as local manufacturers repatriate supply chains from across the Taiwan Strait. Exports to the U.S. have…
The race is on to position serviced offices as hip co-working spaces, but questions remain about the sustainability of market demand. The Executive Centre in Taipei’s Nanshan Plaza feels like a lounge on the club floor of a five-star hotel. Office workers dressed to impress chat casually, seated on quirky designer furniture. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer…
Government measures to cool the residential property market have been successful, but prices remain high in the most desirable markets, putting homeownership out of reach for many Taiwanese. The Taiwan government has spent years trying to cool a red-hot residential property market. Measured in terms of controlling price growth, the policies have borne fruit. The…
Left with just 15 diplomatic allies, Taiwan now looks to safeguard its most vital remaining relationships while strengthening unofficial ties with key democracies. Since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, China has stepped up efforts to curtail Taiwan’s international space. Luring away Taiwan’s diplomatic allies has been integral to this campaign. In September,…
