Reported about 1 year ago
Economic Affairs Department reported that in May, both the retail and food & beverage industries in Taiwan achieved record-high sales, with retail industry's revenue increasing by 2.4% year-on-year, experiencing a 33-month growth streak, demonstrating strong domestic demand. The Deputy Director of the Statistics Department, Huang Weijie, mentioned that the domestic consumption market was active, leading to new highs in both industries' revenues. Wholesale sector also saw growth in May, with a 12.6% year-on-year increase, mainly fueled by the expansion of emerging applications like AI and high-performance computing. There is optimism for continued positive development if unforeseen circumstances do not arise.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Taipei, June 24, 2024 - The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that the industrial production index for May was 98.2, with a year-on-year increase of 16.06%, marking a third consecutive monthly increase and the highest annual growth rate in 34 months. The semiconductor industry saw a significant 40.99% surge driven by strong AI demand, while the computer, electronic, and optical manufacturing sector also grew by 31.84% year-on-year. Expectations for June indicate a year-on-year growth of 12.5% to 17.3% in the manufacturing industry, with the overall industrial production index forecasted to exceed 10% for the first half of the year.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
NCSIST Chairman Wu Cheng-wen emphasized the importance for Taiwan to develop Sovereign AI and establish autonomous AI systems, working with international companies to assist industries and service sectors in AI application development. The plan includes a 10-year, NT$300 billion project focusing on advancing Taiwan's IC design sector. Acknowledging the significance of Sovereign AI, Wu mentioned Taiwan's strengths in semiconductors and hardware manufacturing but highlighted the need for independent systems, applications, and services to enhance national security. The goal is for Taiwan to become the 'Island of AI' with its own data centers, computing power, and cloud services to control and leverage data accurately for citizen services.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
In response to NVIDIA and AMD increasing investments in Taiwan and establishing research and development centers in the country, National Science Council Chair Wu Cheng-wen expressed that they have reached a consensus with the Ministry of Economic Affairs. He has communicated with both companies, expressing the hope to bring in 50% of overseas system talent to assist Taiwan in developing AI application systems and enhance industrial value in Taiwan. Both companies have positively responded, aiming to grow together with Taiwan as President Tsai mentioned building Taiwan as an 'AI island' in her inaugural speech, hoping to apply AI across all industries for development.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
The National Council for Science will present the first draft of Taiwan's AI basic law by the end of this year, with a preview scheduled for August and a focus on balancing industry innovation and human rights protection. Following the recent adoption of the AI Act by the European Parliament, the National Council for Science aims to introduce Taiwan's first AI basic law, explicitly prohibiting infringements like image rights. The draft will include regulations on the appropriate use of AI technology to prevent misuse and ensure compliance with existing laws.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen discussed various topics including new housing initiatives and inflation in an exclusive interview with Yahoo Finance. She shared optimism that inflation would come down to the Fed's 2% target next year and highlighted the economy's resilience amidst potential election uncertainties. Yellen also mentioned the impact of tariffs on the economy and the importance of addressing deficits. The interview conveyed Yellen's confidence in the economy and her insights on key economic issues facing the nation.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Mexico's state oil company, Petroleos Mexicanos, saw an 11% rise in gasoline imports in May, hindering President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's aim to achieve national self-sufficiency in refining. Despite earlier cuts in fuel imports, the company's struggles persist as they await the completion of the Dos Bocas refinery. Pemex's delays in refinery projects and declining crude production, along with a high debt burden, are impeding Mexico's energy independence efforts.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Following the implementation of the 'New Youth Housing Stability and Homeownership Preferential Loan Program' (New Youth Housing Program) which has boosted the housing market but also led to issues such as people acting as intermediaries or subletting, the Administrative Yuan held a review meeting yesterday to assess the current situation. Policies and countermeasures are currently under discussion with plans to clarify and announce decisions to the public in due course. Various measures are being considered to address concerns and improve the implementation of the policy.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
French bank BNP Paribas released a mid-year market outlook, noting more interest rate cuts by central banks next year compared to this year, creating investment opportunities in the forex market. The US Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates four times next year, with rates projected to drop to 4.25%. Historically, post-election US stocks tend to rise by 11-12%, benefiting Taiwan's tech and semiconductor sectors. BNP Paribas advises focusing on policy rather than politics ahead of the US presidential election in November, emphasizing that regardless of the election outcome, the US stock market typically experiences growth post-election.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
經濟部統計處發布工業與製造業生產指數連續3月呈現正成長，5月分別年增16.06％、16.7％，受惠於AI和高效運算需求。然而，傳統產業如機械、汽車則轉為負成長，顯示景氣回升步調仍緩慢。產發署持續關懷協助傳產，並展望未來製造業生產指數增幅將拉大，吸引海外大廠前來台灣設資料中心。
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
The Health Insurance Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that 14 indicative drugs will no longer be covered by health insurance starting on August 1, in an effort to save approximately NT$278,000. These drugs, mostly digestive enzymes and vitamins known as 'flavoring medicines,' have been a point of contention as their continued coverage by health insurance was criticized despite being for dietary supplements rather than medical treatment. The gradual reduction in subsidized drugs aims to optimize health insurance resources for necessary medical services.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Starting August 1, 2024, Taiwan's National Health Insurance will stop providing coverage for 14 listed medicines while still covering over 800 others. The medical and pharmaceutical industry in Taiwan have differing opinions on this decision. The Pharmacists Association believes that listed medicines should be removed from coverage due to the strain on healthcare resources, while the Physicians Association emphasizes the need for careful evaluation before removing these medicines to prevent burdening patients financially. The debate revolves around the financial implications and accessibility of commonly used listed medicines for the public.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
On June 24, 2024, Taichung city councilors suggested allocating subsidies for pregnant women's prenatal check-up transportation expenses to encourage childbirth. Taichung has the lowest childbirth allowance among the six municipalities, with only NT$20,000 per birth. It is the only municipality without a 'maternity special transport' service, while even smaller cities like Pingtung, Chiayi, and Hsinchu have implemented it. Councilors urged the city to follow other municipalities and provide subsidies for maternity special transport, criticizing the lack of action by Mayor Lu Xiu-yan despite Taichung's high marriage rate and being the second in birth rate but declining annually. The city government promised to consider the feasibility of the special transport service next year. Comparison shows Taichung and New Taipei City have the lowest childbirth subsidies among the six municipalities, with proposals to increase support in Taichung.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Taoyuan recently introduced a 'Good Pregnancy Transport' subsidy policy for pregnant women, providing up to NT$9,000 per person, which has received positive feedback. However, there are challenges during peak hours or rainy days in calling for rides. Hsinchu City's subsidy of NT$6,000 for pregnancy transport can now be used in Hsinchu County as well, pending further discussion. The subsidy in Taoyuan is accessed through a card system for pregnant women registered in Taoyuan, with the program having issued 6,656 subsidies in over 3 months. Hsinchu City also offers transport subsidies for pregnant women and has expanded the service range to postnatal care facilities.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Neurosurgeon Xin Ming-tai from SHUH Hospital shared his emotional journey of caring for his mother who suffered two strokes, shedding light on the lack of resources for stroke patients. Despite arranging care, rehabilitation, and long-term care resources, his mother passed away after being bedridden for two years. Xin realized the importance of family support in illness and highlighted the disparities in rehabilitation resources across urban and rural areas, urging the government to allocate more resources for better patient care.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Xinyi Hongwu Curry at Xizhi Far Eastern Plaza was suspected of causing food poisoning again. The New Taipei City Health Bureau received reports of 2 individuals experiencing diarrhea and discomfort after dining on June 18, with 1 hospitalized, bringing the total to 10 seeking medical care. The restaurant has been notified twice for suspected food poisoning within a year, leading to a temporary closure starting the day before. Samples have been collected for inspection with a focus on salmonella in eggs, and pending results may lead to legal investigations under food safety laws. The operator has apologized, visited the hospital, ceased operations, and undertaken sanitation measures according to the health bureau's advice, such as switching to washed eggs. The Health Bureau requires a successful improvement report and environmental reinspection before resuming business.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
In Taiwan, there is a traditional belief of leaving the whole body intact after death, but amputated limbs are often classified as medical waste. Amputees have had to either store their limbs in freezers or hand them over to funeral service providers for centralized disposal, as funeral homes seldom offer cremation services for limbs. New Taipei and Taoyuan cities have revised their funeral service facility and fee standards to provide individual cremation services for amputated limbs at a cost of 1,000 NT dollars per cremation, expected to be implemented in July and August respectively. This initiative aims to help amputees have a more 'complete and fulfilling' posthumous arrangement, addressing concerns about not being able to keep their whole bodies after death. Previously, only Kaohsiung in Taiwan offered centralized cremation services for amputated limbs, showing regional disparities. The amendment also allows for the cremated remains to be combined with the individual's body cremation later on for a complete 'whole body burial'.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
A report from Taipei on June 24, 2024, describes Jisheng Air Conditioning sending three workers to install a second-floor air conditioner amidst light rain. The workers, equipped with safety gear and helmets, had a near-accident experience in the past. The Taiwan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Care Association chairman highlighted the dangers of low-priced air conditioning installations, linked to instances of fatal accidents in the industry. Despite regulations requiring safety equipment, many workers face risky conditions during installations, leading to 20 deaths in a decade. The association is pushing for legislation to ensure safer working environments for air conditioning installation workers.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
In the community of Southeast Asian Garden Plaza in Taipei's Gongguan, the exterior tiles have been continuously falling off, prompting the installation of protective nets every two floors, creating an unusual cityscape. The forty-year-old building with 130 units utilizes this temporary solution initiated by the local government to prevent injuries due to falling debris. With no official management committee in place, the responsibility for maintenance and repairs falls on the residents, leading to a call for government assistance through the establishment of a public fund to address the prevalent issue of severe exterior peeling in aging buildings.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
In June 24, 2024, a nine-year-old girl and her mother were hit by falling tiles and concrete chunks from the 30-year-old building 'Jinghua Mansion' in Taipei. Despite safety net installations, fragments of falling tiles still remain. Following a lawsuit, all 13 property owners from the first to twelfth floors were charged with negligence for failing to maintain the building's exterior, causing severe injuries to the child. Prior to the first trial, the residents reached a settlement with the child's mother, leading to the withdrawal of the lawsuit.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
In Taipei, there is a lack of awareness among apartment buildings regarding the structural integrity of exterior wall tiles, leading to potential risks of tiles becoming hollow and falling off. During a professional inspection conducted by external wall inspection companies, utilizing tools like a 'testing rod,' hollow tiles were discovered by technicians hanging from ropes at high altitudes. The inspection process is crucial to identify and address potential safety hazards, especially in buildings over thirty years old, prompting Taipei City to implement regulations for regular exterior wall safety inspections for buildings over eleven stories or older than fifteen years, adjusting the reporting intervals to every three years for buildings over thirty years old.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
Following the Huailien earthquake, older residents of the Taipei Chengcheng Garden community are facing challenges with maintaining their aging building's exterior walls. With cracks, falling tiles, and warped iron windows, the community is unable to come to an agreement on repairs due to the lack of a registered management committee. Unlike newer buildings in urban areas where residents are willing to fund repairs, the 'double elderly crisis' in this community worsens as external wall management deteriorates. The Taiwan Property Management Association Chairman notes that aging buildings over fifty years old face safety concerns in various areas and calls for urgent action.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
On June 24, 2024, at 6:26 PM in Taipei, the window-type air conditioner on a building at No. 189, Sec. 2, Chenggong Road in Taipei was swaying dangerously, resembling a ticking time bomb. Nearby residents have been warning about the risks, but their pleas were reportedly ignored by authorities and management, showcasing the struggle of dealing with potential dangers like this 'time bomb in the sky.' Advocates urge for legislation on the inspection of exterior attachments to prevent such incidents in the future.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
In contrast to Taiwan's long neglect of preventive maintenance, Japan established a 'Public Fund' for long-term maintenance over thirty years ago, along with a 'Long-Term Maintenance Program System' nearly twenty years ago. This system has become a key factor affecting community housing prices, ensuring the safety of building exteriors by eliminating unplanned buildings from the market. Scholars and experts urge Taiwan to include the mandatory payment of public funds in the 'Apartment Building Management Regulations,' defining the repair relationship and responsibilities of residents to effectively maintain exterior walls. This system has become an important document in real estate transactions, impacting property prices based on the presence and implementation of long-term maintenance plans.
Source: YAHOO
Reported about 1 year ago
As of June 24, 2024, old buildings in Taiwan face the danger of flying debris such as pots and tiles during strong winds, leading to a lack of government intervention and reliance on luck by pedestrians. Despite initiatives over the years to address the chaotic and potentially dangerous external attachments like air conditioners and signs on buildings, the situation has not been resolved. Recent incidents of falling tiles and an air conditioner leading to fatalities have raised concerns, with calls for regulations and incentives for repairs. However, the slow progress in legislation highlights the challenges in managing and funding maintenance of older buildings, posing threats to public safety.
Source: YAHOO