investment 結果共98筆

Taiwan’s Ministry of Education’s ’108 curriculum’ has brought about new educational outcomes, as noted by Premier Chen Chien-jen. The 2022 International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS 2022) by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) reveals that Taiwanese students have achieved top global rankings in civic knowledge, gender equality, and ethnic group equality. The government’s efforts to strengthen education through the new curriculum have also been recognized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Among 81 countries assessed, Taiwanese students ranked third in mathematics literacy, fourth in science, and fifth in reading. Premier Chen emphasized that these achievements highlight Taiwan’s exceptional students and demonstrate the nation’s commitment to investing in education. The OECD evaluation further solidifies Taiwan’s position on the world stage for educational accomplishments, showcasing the effectiveness of its educational policies and curriculum advancements. Premier Chen expressed confidence in Taiwan’s youth and the government’s education approach, stating that these high rankings represent a valuable investment in the future generations of Taiwan.

Taiwan’s central bank has announced that it will maintain its interest rate for the third consecutive time in its quarterly board meeting. The decision was influenced by price changes and the need to balance stabilizing consumer prices with sustaining economic growth. Despite rising consumer prices due to natural disasters, the central bank remains optimistic and expects the inflation rate to drop below 2% next year. Forecasts for Taiwan’s GDP growth rate in 2023 are more positive, projected to reach 3.12%. This is supported by increasing private consumption, particularly in tourism and dining, as well as the central bank’s expectation of a global export increase to stimulate local investment and drive economic recovery. In contrast to the Federal Reserve in the U.S., Taiwan’s central bank stated that its monetary policy approach would be adjusted gradually based on the country’s economic conditions. Despite high housing prices, the central bank has decided against imposing stricter measures or withdrawing from market intervention to avoid further impact on the property market.

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYMCU) has partnered with the American Climate Club (ACC) to establish the American Taiwan Climate Club. This collaboration aims to contribute to the global net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. The two institutions have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop international carbon standards and propose a white paper on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies. NYMCU is committed to raising global citizens with sustainability awareness and plans to integrate the 17 Sustainable Development Goals into its academics and research. The partnership also has the potential to pave the way for Taiwan’s engagement in international carbon trading and promote green economic growth. The American Climate Club, registered in Texas, collaborates with government agencies, carbon reduction technology firms, carbon quality monitoring, carbon asset services, and climate and carbon finance funds. The newly formed American Taiwan Climate Club will focus on climate education, international cooperation, carbon project investment, carbon advisory services, and policy research to strengthen climate protection efforts.

Chinese companies are increasingly establishing supply chains in Vietnam as U.S. companies like Apple move production there, according to Japanese media reports. Export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and semiconductor production equipment to China by the Biden Administration have led to difficulties for Chinese manufacturers, prompting a shift in investment towards alternative manufacturing bases like Vietnam. Approved foreign direct investment in Vietnam increased by 15% from January to November 2023, with Chinese investment, including from Hong Kong and Macao, doubling from the previous year. Chinese investment in Vietnam is even higher when routed through subsidiaries based in Singapore and Thailand. Notable investments include Shandong Haohua Tire Co. Ltd.’s US$500 million investment and Trina Solar Co., Ltd.’s US$420 million decision. BYD Company also announced an expansion investment of US$144 million, bringing its total investment in Vietnam to over US$400 million. Japanese experts believe that Chinese enterprises must engage in joint advancements in cutting-edge technology with local entities to be seen as partners by the Vietnamese.

Investment trust companies in Taiwan, such as Jih Sun Investment Trust, Yuanta Investment Trust, Allianz Investment Trust, Taishin Investment Trust, First Investment Trust, and Cathay Investment Trust, are currently offering time-limited promotions that waive fund handling fees. These promotions, aimed at taking advantage of a bullish global financial market, include 0% transaction fees for regular savings plans and single payments. By focusing on Taiwan stock funds and funds invested in Vietnam, global industries, technology, and multi-asset classes, these companies are providing investors with opportunities to reduce investment costs. With an estimated profit of NT＄3.4 trillion for Taiwan’s listed companies in 2024, a potential growth of 10% to 20% compared to 2023, and strong performance expected in the fourth quarter, the investment landscape in Taiwan looks promising.

Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Wang Mei-hua, has confirmed that discussions will soon take place with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) regarding the inauguration date for its Kumamoto fab. The progress of TSMC’s Kumamoto fab is said to be outpacing other global expansion efforts. Wang expressed gratitude for the support provided by Japan’s central and local government authorities in establishing the plant. Equipment installation is already underway at TSMC’s Kumamoto site, with trial production set to begin in April 2024. The opening ceremony may be scheduled as early as February 24. Wang emphasized the importance of reinforcing cooperation between Taiwan and Japan, particularly in the semiconductor supply chain, and encouraged mutual investment to foster closer bilateral relations.

Several civic groups in Taiwan, including the Modern Women’s Foundation and the Garden of Hope Foundation (GOH), are urging presidential candidates to prioritize violence prevention as an investment to end violence against women. According to the United Nations, one-third of women globally experience physical or sexual abuse at least once in their lives. The Modern Women’s Foundation Executive Secretary, Wu Zi-ying, highlighted the lack of investigation on these issues within Taiwan. Social work and policy professor Wang Pei-ling revealed that around 70 percent of individuals aged 18 to 74 in Taiwan have experienced online gender-based violence, with image-based violence accounting for 4.6 percent. Wang also emphasized the increasing number of male victims, which now stands at 20 percent. GOH CEO Wang Yueh-hao called on the government to promote interdepartmental initiatives and establish think tanks for gender violence prevention, emphasizing that gender violence is a violation of human rights.

Kuomintang presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih criticizes Taiwan’s anti-fraud efforts, claiming that fraud cases are increasing despite an investment of NT$2.7 billion into the national anti-scam team. Hou attributes the problem to lenient penalties for fraud, leading to high recidivism rates. He proposes a three-pronged policy approach, including steeper penalties reflective of the amount scammed, interdepartmental cooperation, and stronger cross-strait and international cooperation. Hou also blames existing anti-fraud agencies for a lack of coordinated strategy and vows to improve collaboration if elected. Hou’s running mate, Jaw Shau-kong, compares the treatment of fraudsters in Taiwan and mainland China, stating that Taiwan’s sentences are lenient compared to the death penalty in the mainland. Jaw highlights that modern con artists often target the elderly, posing as utility bill collectors.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and the Arizona Building and Construction Trades Council (AZBTC) have reached an agreement to resolve a labor dispute at TSMC’s Phoenix semiconductor manufacturing facility. The collaboration includes employee training programs and a commitment to transparency on workplace safety issues. This agreement is seen as a critical step for TSMC, which is expected to benefit from the US$100 billion in subsidies provided by the U.S. Chips Act. TSMC has agreed to prioritize local hiring but can employ foreign workers with ＂specialist experience＂ if needed. TSMC’s investment in Arizona amounts to US$40 billion, with construction starting in 2021. Mass production is now scheduled to begin in the first half of 2025. This resolution not only facilitates smoother progress in the construction of TSMC’s plant but also highlights the company’s role in increasing semiconductor production capabilities in the United States.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and the Arizona Building and Construction Trades Council (AZBTC) have reached a collaboration agreement to resolve labor disputes and enhance the development of TSMC’s semiconductor manufacturing facility in Phoenix. The deal includes increased workforce training, improved safety transparency, and the formation of a quarterly committee to ensure implementation. TSMC has committed a US＄40 billion investment in its Arizona production site and aims to hire locally while also employing foreign workers with specialized experience. The agreement has been hailed as a victory for Arizona workers and the construction timeline of TSMC Arizona. To address the labor shortage, TSMC has invested US＄15 million in the Arizona Pipe Trades to expand apprenticeship training and establish a semiconductor manufacturing school.

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih and his running mate, Jaw Shaw-kong, have pledged to crack down on Taiwan’s rampant fraud industry. If elected, they plan to conduct a sweeping operation against fraud groups in their first year, aiming to reduce fraud cases to a third of the current number in the second year and cutting them by half in the third year. Hou, drawing on his past anti-fraud experience, criticizes the current government for its investment in a national anti-fraud team that has seen an increase in fraud cases and arrests. He advocates for stronger surveillance by the National Communications Commission (NCC) in telecom facilities and emphasizes the need for cooperation with mainland China. Hou aims to leverage the Organized Crime Prevention Act to produce tangible results in the fight against fraud by the fourth year of his presidency.

The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) Chairman, Huang Tien-mu, addressed questions from Kuomintang Legislator Lin Te-fu about Taiwan’s stock market. Huang emphasized the significant role of domestic funds and corporations in driving market momentum, despite the heavy presence of foreign capital. While foreign capital makes up around 40% of the market value, it accounts for only 30% of regular stock volume. Huang stated that this indicates the considerable impact of internal funds and corporations on the market. Huang also highlighted a record inflow of foreign investment in November 2022, with overseas investors injecting over NTD $350 billion into the Taiwanese market. He attributed this surge in foreign investment to cooling inflation rates in the United States and a retreat from the highs of U.S. national debt yields. Huang argued that confidence in Taiwan’s robust economic fundamentals and attractive yield rates has led to increased foreign investment trust in Taiwan’s stocks. He further emphasized that the sustained influx of ’hot money’ into Taiwan indicates substantial interest from both foreign and local investors. This interaction underscores the FSC’s recognition of diverse investment sources in strengthening the Taiwanese stock market and suggests a cautiously optimistic outlook for continued investment in the island’s economic landscape.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) may face obstacles in establishing a factory in Germany due to a shift in German subsidies. Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua has confirmed that the German government is actively addressing the budget issues involved. The recent ruling by Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court, which deemed the diversion of pandemic funds for the ＂Climate and Transformation Fund＂ unconstitutional, has raised concerns about the fulfillment of financial promises to TSMC and other tech giants like Intel Corporation. If Germany decreases its subsidies, TSMC may need to renegotiate or even abandon its plans for the factory. The Taiwanese government is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to provide support if necessary. This investment dispute has significant implications for the global supply chains and the semiconductor industry, as TSMC’s advanced semiconductors are in high demand worldwide.

SinoPac Securities Investment Service (SinoPac Inv. Service) has released a report on the Taiwanese stock market, highlighting its impressive growth streak. Taiwan stocks have surged over 44% since 2020 through the end of November, outpacing South Korea’s market and even surpassing the US S&P 500’s gain. The report suggests that Taiwan stocks are poised to set a new high for the year, as the index has successfully breached the critical threshold of 16,800 points. SinoPac Inv. Service also points out that political performance and a thriving stock market are often seen as indicators of the incumbent’s record, with the stock market tending to show an upward trend before the presidential elections. Given the current momentum and what is described as a ＂multi-bottom pattern,＂ investment strategists at SinoPac are suggesting a ＂bullish-bias＂ investment approach. As investors closely monitor economic indicators before making their predictions on the election’s impact, Taiwan’s stock market enters the end-of-year season with robust investor optimism.

Taiwan’s 2023 GDP growth forecast has been lowered to 1.42%, the lowest in 14 years, due to weaker exports and private investment. Year-end bonuses for Taiwanese workers have also been affected, with the average amount shrinking to 1.08 months’ worth of salary, hitting a 10-year low. The financial industry leads in bonus payouts with an average of 1.83 months’ salary, followed by the semiconductor industry at 1.38 months. The healthcare services industry averages just 0.97 months of salary, while the accommodations and food services sector lags further behind at only 0.59 months. Despite the downward revision, the DGBAS remains optimistic for 2024, forecasting a GDP growth rate rebound to 3.35%. However, challenges such as the Ukraine-Russia war, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and ongoing inflation may pose risks to the global economy. Looking ahead to 2024, local job banks predict pay increases in 47.5% of companies, with an average salary hike of 3.2%, slightly lower than in 2023. Experts caution that Taiwan’s economic recovery may not be as swift as hoped.

Taiwan’s foreign investment landscape has undergone a significant shift, with investments in Southeast Asia surpassing those in mainland China for the first time in 30 years. From January to October this year, Taiwan invested US＄4.96 billion in Southeast Asia compared to US＄2.63 billion in China. The total number of approved foreign investments during the same period decreased by 8.18%, totaling 1,864 investments. The total investment amount was US＄8.39 billion, marking a 27.35% decrease compared to the previous year. Jiangsu Province emerged as the main beneficiary of Taiwan’s investments in mainland China this year. The changes in Taiwanese investment behavior can be attributed to shifts in global supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the China-U.S. trade war. Notably, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Foxconn, and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation played a significant role in foreign investment, with TSMC investing US＄8 billion in U.S. companies and €3.5 billion in German firms, while Foxconn and Yang Ming Marine each injected US＄800 million into Singaporean businesses. This year marks the first time in three decades that investment in Southeast Asia has exceeded that in mainland China.

Taiwan grapples with a faculty shortage due to low salaries. The Executive Yuan plans a NT＄33.29B investment to address the issue, with private schools also increasing research funds.

The total semiconductor industry output is projected to reach NT＄4.3 trillion in 2023, with a year-on-year decrease of 11.2%, according to a revised forecast by Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Investment Corporation (ITRI). The wafer foundry industry is expected to have an output value of NT＄2.46 trillion, surpassing the earlier forecast of NT＄2.38 trillion, and showing an 8.2% yearly decrease. The semiconductor manufacturing industry, including wafer foundry and DRAM, is set to have an output value of NT＄2.64 trillion, with a year-on-year decrease of 9.6%. TSMC’s operational growth is likely to contribute to an anticipated 8.1% growth in Taiwan’s semiconductor manufacturing output in the fourth quarter.

The Taiwanese government plans to allocate at least NT＄20 billion next year to raise the salaries of healthcare workers in response to recent protests by medical professionals. Premier Chen Chien-jen advocates for increased respect, appreciation, and compensation for frontline staff, stating that a health insurance system should not be built on the ＂sweat and tears＂ of healthcare professionals. Discussions are underway with President Tsai Ing-wen, National Health Insurance Administration Director-General Shih Chung-liang, and Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan on methods to enhance salaries through health insurance and public budget funds. The financial assistance will be directed at healthcare personnel excluding doctors, with specific details of the plan still under discussion. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has highlighted the global shortage of healthcare workers as a significant concern, and with COVID-19 still a threat, the government aims to increase healthcare investment and address the welfare of those on the medical frontline.

Taiwan’s Minister of Science and Technology Council (MOST) has acknowledged the country’s investments in high-temperature plasma and fusion research. While recognizing the potential of collaborating with overseas partners for the development of fusion power plants, the Minister stated that the current high cost of research funds makes it unfeasible at present. The issue was raised during an inquiry at the Executive Yuan Education and Culture Committee by Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) legislator Jang Chyi-lu, who expressed concerns about Taiwan’s ability to invest in nuclear fusion research. Jang highlighted the global interest in fusion power as a clean energy source. The Minister confirmed that Taiwan is actively advancing in controlled fusion research, particularly in magnetic confinement fusion, which aids in reducing carbon emissions. However, he cautioned that commercializing nuclear fusion may take 20 to 30 years. Kuomintang legislator Cheng Li-wun pointed out that the budget allocated for net-zero emissions research this year is significantly larger than the funds allocated for nuclear fusion research. Minister Wu acknowledged that Taiwan’s investment efforts in this area are conservative compared to other countries but did not rule out the possibility of participating in future global research opportunities.

Taiwan and the UK have signed a historic Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP), marking the first trade agreement of its kind between Taiwan and a European country. The agreement covers digital trade, investment, renewable energy, and net-zero carbon emissions. Future discussions may include trade facilitation, anti-corruption initiatives, and service industry management. Taiwan is the first country in the Indo-Pacific region to sign an ETP deal with the UK. The agreement is seen as a symbol of enhanced Taiwan-UK relations and could serve as a model for other nations. The deal is particularly significant considering the UK’s entrance into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which may have implications for Taiwan’s prospective membership.

Vice President Lai Ching-te envisions Taiwan as a global haven for democracy, justice, innovation, and sustainability, as he addresses the European Chamber of Commerce. He emphasizes the need to strengthen trade and investment relations with the European Union through a Free Trade Agreement or Bilateral Investment Treaty. Taiwan-EU trade has flourished, with Europe being the largest source of foreign investment. Lai highlights the importance of maintaining a stable Strait and opposes any attempt to change the status quo by force. He also commits to Taiwan’s national vision of achieving net-zero transitions by diversifying green energy sources and implementing high-tech solutions for energy conservation.

The Taipei City Government has agreed to cover the remaining bill of NT$190 million for the completed Taipei Music Center. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an made the decision in order to avoid the city government spending NT$800,000 per month on interest. The city councilors supported the decision but emphasized that the final payment responsibility still needs to be clarified. The Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Tsai Shi-Ping, has promised to submit a complete report within two weeks. Councilor Chien Shu-pei supported the prepayment but also highlighted the need for continued coordination with the Department of Cultural Affairs, which may involve litigation. If litigation is lost, further discussions will be necessary to determine who will bear the legal expenses.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Taiwan will increase monthly academic research grants for professors, associate professors, and assistant professors at public universities starting next year. This move aims to address low wages for academic talent in Taiwan. The Executive Yuan has committed to investing NT＄33.29 billion over the next five years to support this initiative. The research grants for teaching staff at public universities will increase by NT＄6,000 to NT＄9,000 per month. Additionally, the Ministry will invest an additional NT＄860 million to encourage private universities to raise their faculty salaries, bridging the salary gap between public and private institutions. The efforts also include the introduction of new doctoral scholarships and subsidies for part-time teaching assistant positions for doctorate students. The MOE’s Department of Higher Education Director-General, Chu Chun-chang, stated that if private universities can increase academic research funding by 15%, the MOE will cover 70% of the cost. Furthermore, starting next year, the ＂flexible pay＂ system for outstanding teachers will be expanded, with increased subsidies.

The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has announced an 8.6 percent rebound in output, driven by developments in solar and wind power. Taiwan’s renewable energy market is expected to reach NT$200 billion in 2024. This was revealed during an ITRI industry forum that focused on cross-discipline cooperation in carbon solution exchange. Jay Wang, Vice Director of ITRI Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center, highlighted the challenges faced by the global economy due to high inflation and interest rates, which have increased investment costs for renewable energy development. Wang emphasized the importance of renewable energy in achieving a net-zero economy by 2050, but noted that oversupply has resulted in lower prices and the need for different approaches. Despite these challenges, Taiwan has excelled in the development and innovation of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind power, with an accumulated capacity of 2GW to date.