Line Bank, Next Bank, and Rakuten International Commercial Bank face determined incumbent competitors and a saturated retail banking market. With 39 commercial lenders and nearly 3,400 branches for a population of 23.5 million – many of whom have multiple retail bank accounts – Taiwan is often described as “overbanked.” Because many banks are family businesses…
An increasing number of Taiwanese investors are using private capital for public good. TOPICS spoke with three leading figures in the cause. Two decades ago, Taipei’s Dadaocheng area was seen by many as a neighborhood in decline. But recent efforts by the Taipei City Council, the National Development Fund, and private investors have helped breathe…
Over the past few decades, China has overwhelmingly received the largest portion of Taiwanese accumulated investments. From 1991 to August this year, approved historic investment into China stood at a whopping US$205.7 billion, with over 45,000 projects involved, the Mainland Affairs Council says in notes emailed to TOPICS. Economists say the real figure may be…
The Western world’s increasing adoption of ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools is sparking a surge in investments in generative artificial intelligence. These investments are in turn driving robust demand for high-performance graphics processing units and other semiconductor devices. Technology research firm Gartner has predicted that semiconductors designed to execute AI workloads will present revenue…
As Taiwan enters 2024, its economy faces a mix of challenges and opportunities, with hopes pinned on a tech recovery, shifting global supply chains, and resilient domestic consumption. As Taiwan emerged from the pandemic’s shadow this year, domestic consumers rejoiced at the reopening of restaurants and retail stores. International and inbound travel also arose as…
Taiwan’s metals, plastics, and chemicals manufacturers will need to adapt to new international policy measures to secure price competitiveness in key export markets. When the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) comes into full force in three years, it will have a heavy impact on the cost structure for many exporters to the EU. …
Taiwan’s growing number of B Corporations are embracing rigorous certification standards to prove that profitmaking can go hand-in-hand with social and environmental impact. Writing this article is somewhat of a full-circle moment for me. Back in February 2017, my previous employer and AmCham member Winkler Partners became the first law firm in Asia to be…
Businesses are leveraging “green messaging” to attract customers, recruit young talent, and meet international sustainability demands. Reflecting a trend that has spread to most parts of the world, products and services sold in Taiwan are increasingly being marketed as environmentally friendly. But claims around sustainability – or “green claims” – can be misleading and sometimes…
From award-winning cat boxes to elegantly packaged noodles, there’s a wide range of unforgettable presents to bring home from your Taiwan adventure. There was a time when tourists to Taiwan viewed the nation as a microcosm of traditional Chinese culture. Gift shopping would mirror this thought process, and consequently, the tired traveler would return home…
In this sharing-economy era, platforms are being used not only to raise money for causes, but also to support the development of new and innovative products that might not otherwise make it to the marketplace. For a language like English with its 26-letter alphabet, creating a font is a relatively simple task. Doing so in…
