The program aims to provide resources and training in key industries like smart technology, internet of things, and renewable energy

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/02/26
By: Duncan DeAeth, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) on Feb. 26 announced the establishment of a new “Smart Grid Academy” (電網學校) designed to foster talent in Taiwan, as the country moves forward in the digital information age.

The “Smart Grid Academy” will offer expertise, and resources, including student scholarships, across Taiwan to improve education and training in areas of smart technology, internet of things, and renewable energy, with a goal of accelerating Taiwan’s transition to a 21st century nation making maximum use of renewable energy.

Following the establishment of the Smart Grid Management and Modernization Office (電網管理與現代化策略辦公室) by ITRI in July last year, the institute has been working on working on strategies to develop 21st century talent for Taiwan.

On Feb. 26, in addition to the academy, the ITRI announced the “Smart Grid Development Alliance,” which is a group of 24 professionals across academics and key industries, who will serve as mentors for the first generation of researchers admitted to the ”Smart Grid Academy” programs, reports Liberty Times.
[FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/02/26
By: Liao Yu-yang and Frances Huang 

Taipei, Feb. 26 (CNA) Industrial production in Taiwan fell for the second consecutive month in January due to lower demand as a result of a global economic slowdown, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said Tuesday.

MOEA data showed that the industrial production index for January fell 1.86 percent from a year earlier to 106.55 after a 1.06 percent year-on-year decline in December.

The MOEA said the drop also reflected a relatively high comparison base over the same period of last year.

The sub-index for the manufacturing sector, which accounts for more than 90 percent of total industrial production, fell 1.92 percent from a year earlier to 107.43, the MOEA said.    [FULL  STORY]

WAITING GAME: No one knows if buyers will be put off by foldables’ high price tags, but the firm is putting more resources into developing such displays, Paul Peng said

Taipei Times
Date: Feb 27, 2019
By: Lisa Wang  /  Staff reporter

AU Optronics Corp (AUO, 友達光電) yesterday said it is working with clients to offer flexible displays for

their new foldable phones, likely later this year, an early sign that the industry is embracing such dual-screen phones for lack of major killer features.

That could be a breakthrough for the LCD panel maker, which has been supplying OLEDs for smaller devices, mostly wearables, in the past few years.

AUO’s remarks came after the world’s two biggest mobile phone companies — South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co and China’s Huawei Technologies Co (華為) — recently showcased their latest foldable phones, the Galaxy Fold and Mate X respectively.

Such foldable phones “are a novelty that adopts display technologies in a new way and make such phones a new hybrid of mobile phones and tablets,” AUO chairman Paul Peng (彭雙浪) told a media briefing.    [FULL  STORY]

The Taiwan delegation bound for Tokyo has an attitude of a national Olympic team, representing the best of their country

Taiwan News 
Date: 2019/02/25
By: Duncan DeAeth, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture, External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), along with food industry representatives are gearing up for the largest agri-food fair in Asia-Pacific, Foodex Japan, which will be held in Tokyo, March 5-8.

According to previous reports, 142 Taiwanese businesses will be joining the food fair and will account for 146 booths at Foodex, making Taiwan the third largest exhibitor for 2019.

TAITRA is organizing the Taiwan Pavilion at the show, and they are excited about the opportunity of raising the profile of Taiwan’s domestically produced food and beverage products for the international market.

With an expected visitor turnout of more than 70,000 people, from 90 different countries, many of whom work directly in the import/export business or food industry in their home country, Foodex Japan is an exceptional opportunity to boost international awareness and market reach for Taiwanese products.
[FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/02/25
By: Tsai Peng-min and Frances Huang

Taipei, Feb. 25 (CNA) Business sentiment in the local manufacturing sector improved in January, partly on the back of solid demand for information/communication devices from the U.S. and European markets, the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER) said Monday.

TIER, one of the country’s leading economic think tanks, said the improved business sentiment also reflected the fact that prices of production raw materials and petrochemical products stabilized in the month.

Data compiled by TIER shows that the January composite index for the manufacturing sector, which measures market sentiment, rose 3.57 points from a month earlier to 89.57, marking the second consecutive month of increase.

The think tank said strong demand from the U.S. and European markets helped offset weakening global demand, which boosted the business sentiment of Taiwanese manufacturers in the month at a time of a slowdown in the global economy.    [FULL  STORY]

Foodex Japan, the largest agri-food fair in Asia-Pacific, will be held March 5-8

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/02/24
By: Taiwan Today,Agencies

TAITRA President and CEO Walter M. S. Yeh (center) with Agriculture and Trade officials (By Agencies)
TAIPEI (Taiwan Today) — A selection of Taiwan’s tip-top food products will take center stage at next month’s Foodex Japan in Tokyo, according to the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) Feb. 21.

The items are to be showcased at the Taiwan Pavilion operated by TAITRA and its overseeing agency, the Bureau of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Billed as Asia’s largest food and beverage fair, the annual event is expected to significantly enhance the profile of the country’s agricultural and food manufacturing sectors.

A total of 142 local businesses from around Taiwan, including Kaohsiung City, Pingtung County and Tainan City in the south, as well as Taoyuan City in the north and Yunlin County in the west, will display their wares at 146 booths. This representation makes Taiwan the third largest exhibiting country.

The Council of Agriculture is running a booth dedicated to highlighting the results of government efforts in advancing high-quality agriculture. In addition, the Council of Indigenous Peoples will make its Foodex bow with a stall promoting red quinoa products from Taiwan’s aboriginal communities.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/02/24
By: Liao Yu-yang and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, Feb. 24 (CNA) Domestic diesel prices will rise by NT$0.4 (US$0.013) per liter but gasoline prices

will stay unchanged this week, Taiwan’s two major suppliers announced Sunday.

State-owned oil refiner CPC Corp. Taiwan said prices at CPC gas stations nationwide will remain at NT$26.3 per liter for 92 octane unleaded, NT$27.8 per liter for 95 unleaded, and NT$29.8 per liter for 98 unleaded during the coming week.

But the price for super diesel will go up to NT$25.5 per liter as of Sunday midnight.

CPC should have raised gasoline and diesel prices by NT$1.6 and NT$0.7 per liter, respectively, this week based on its pricing formula following a rise in international crude oil prices.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/02/23
By Pan Tzu-yu and Frances Huang

Taipei, Feb. 23 (CNA) More funds for investment were remitted out of Taiwan than flowed into the country in the fourth quarter of 2018 for the 34th consecutive quarter, the longest run in the country’s history, according to Taiwan’s central bank.

The net fund outflow in Taiwan’s financial account, which measures the flow of direct investment and portfolio investments, was US$17.88 billion during the quarter, bringing the aggregate net outflow for the 34 quarters to US$413.31 billion, central bank data showed.

The fourth quarter figure was more than double the net outflow of US$7.83 billion in the third quarter as foreign investors cut their holdings in local securities amid volatility in global financial markets, the central bank said.

For 2018 as a whole, Taiwan recorded a net fund outflow of US$51.92 billion in its financial account, the central bank said.    [FULL  STORY]