More than NT$118 billion of new investment and procurement opportunities have been announced for domestic and foreign enterprises

Taiwan News
Date: 2018/10/16
By: Ryan Drillsma, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Transport and Communications held an annual investment conference today (Oct. 16) where it announced more than NT$118 billion (US$ 3.8 billion) of new investment and procurement opportunities.

Included in the release are NT$103 billion (US$3.4 billion) in public infrastructure investments, with nearly NT$15 billion (US$ 486 million) in rail track system maintenance. The event attracted representatives from around 250 domestic and foreign industries.

Transport and Communications Minister Wu Hong-mo (吳宏謀) invited investors to join construction projects, including railway station development, commercial port facility development, and the development of shopping malls and scenic areas.
[FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/10/16
By: Chen Wei-ting and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, Oct. 16 (CNA) Two hotels operated by Taiwanese businesses have been listed in

the top 10 best hotels in Asia and Venice, Italy, by readers of a U.S. luxury and lifestyle travel magazine for their world-class facilities and excellent service.

Grand Hyatt Taipei was ranked the seventh top hotel in Asia in the 2018 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

The prestigious U.S. travel magazine announced the results of its annual awards in New York on Oct. 9. The Grand Hyatt Taipei was the only hotel from Taiwan recognized as among the very best in Asia.

The hotel attributed its high rating to excellent transport links, comprehensive facilities and the service excellence.    [FULL  STORY]

The renovation will double the production capacity to 4,000 tons of drinkable water per day

Taiwan News
Date: 2018/10/15
By: Sophia Yang, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Greater Kinmen Desalination Plant started operations Monday, Oct. 15.

After a year of renovation work, the plant will now supply residents and tourists in the water-scarce Kinmen Islands with clean and safe drinking water.

Renovation of the plant and its adjacent landscape started in September 2017, and was completed in late August, 2018. The renovation will double the production capacity to 4,000 tons of drinkable water per day, and is set to reduce the maintenance cost of reverse osmosis water systems.

Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chen Ming-tong (陳明通) said Monday, at a launch ceremony, the number of tourists traveling through the Mini Three Links (小三通) reached 1.82 million in 2017 alone, meaning a larger demand for drinkable water.
[FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/10/15
By: Jeffrey Wu and Frances Huang

Taipei, Oct. 15 (CNA) An Asia-based brokerage has cut its target price for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker, amid caution ahead of a TSMC investor conference on Oct. 18.

While TSMC’s fundamentals remain sound, the Asian securities house said it still lowered the stock’s target price because TSMC could feel the pinch of unfavorable external factors, in particular an interest rate hike cycle by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

In a research note released three days ahead of the investor conference, the brokerage said it has cut its target price for TSMC to NT$211 (US$6.82) from NT$223, and downgraded its recommendation on the stock to “underweight” from “hold.”

On Monday, TSMC shed 2.74 percent to close at the day’s low of NT$230.50 on the Taiwan Stock Exchange amid rising fears over trade tension between the United States and China and concerns over fund outflows.    [FULL  STORY]

TSMC wins bid to supply Apple with its A13 chips used in upcoming iPhone and iPad products

Taiwan News
Date: 2018/10/13
By: Scott Morgan, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC, 台積電) has won the 2019 contract to be the exclusive supplier of Apple’s new A13 chips, used in upcoming iPhone and iPad products, media reports said.

The deal is set to continue TSMC’s position as the exclusive supplier of the 7nm A-series chips since 2016, industry sources told Digitimes.

The new contract is believed to be largely due to TSMC’s new wafer packaging technology, which is more competitive than its competitors.

Apple has also stopped buying electronic components from its competitor Samsung, making TSMC more attractive, the source told Digitimes.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/10/13
By: Frances Huang 

Taipei, Oct. 13 (CNA) U.S.-based ratings agency Fitch Ratings has affirmed Taiwan’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Ratings at “AA-” and its Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings at “AA-” and gave a stable outlook for the two ratings.

“The affirmation reflects Taiwan’s robust external finances, strong macroeconomic policy framework, competitive business environment and high governance standards,” Fitch said in a statement.

The latest ratings, however, were constrained by Taiwan’s per capita income of US$25,095, which is far below the median US$46,637 in the “AA” category, the agency said.

Fitch also warned that the complex ties with China have the potential to affect Taiwan’s economy and politics.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/10/12
By: Han ting-ting and Frances Huang 

Taipei, Oct. 12 (CNA) Shares in Taiwan-based Largan Precision Co., a smartphone camera supplier to Apple Inc., received a significant boost from third quarter results which pointed to a more than 50 percent sequential increase in net profit for the third quarter, dealers said.

The buying also came after a strong technical rebound following a 10 percent slump, the maximum daily decline, on Thursday amid concerns over rising interest rates in the U.S. market, which sent Wall Street into a tailspin on Wednesday, they said.

On Friday, shares in Largan rose 10 percent to close at NT$3,555.00 (US$115) with 1.59 million shares changing hands on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Led by market heavyweights such as Largan, the benchmark weighted index on the main board ended up 2.44 percent at 10,045.81 after a 6.31 percent plunge on Thursday.   [FULL  STORY]