Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/12/14
By: Pan Tzu-yu and Frances Huang

Taipei, Dec. 14 (CNA) Taiwan's central bank is expected to announce no change in its key interest rates for the 14th consecutive quarter in an upcoming quarterly policymaking meeting scheduled for Dec. 19, on the back of sound economic fundamentals and mild inflationary pressure, economists said Saturday.

If the forecasts are accurate, the central bank's discount rate will remain at 1.375 percent, rates on accommodations with collateral at 1.750 percent and accommodations without collateral at 3.625 percent.

Such a decision by the local central bank will come after the U.S. Federal Reserve concluded a policymaking meeting on Wednesday, the last meeting this year, at which it left its key interest rates unchanged following three rate cuts earlier this year.

The Fed's policymaking meeting was closely watched by central banks around the world.
[FULL  STORY]

Tamsui-Bali LRT line will need five years to build

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/12/11
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A study for a light railway (LRT) linking Tamsui across the Tamsui River to the Bali District in New Taipei City received a green light from the Ministry of Transportation Wednesday (December 11).

When work eventually starts, it will need five years to complete the 5.6-kilometer-long line, including one station in Tamsui and six in Bali, the Central News Agency reported.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/12/12
By: Y.F. Low

Taipei, Dec. 12 (CNA) Taiwan shares closed up 135.65 points, or 1.16 percent, at 11,836.42 Thursday on turnover of NT$150.87 billion (US$4.97 billion).    [FULL  STORY]

The very first coffee tree was planted in Pingtung during the Japanese colonial era. Today, you can enjoy a nice cup of coffee while relaxing in a historical building in Pingtung.

The News Lens
Date: 2019/12/11

The history of growing coffee trees in indigenous areas of Pingtung can be traced back to the period of Japanese rule. It was in 1902 when the visiting government founded the Hengchun Tropical Botanical Gardens (today’s Hengchun Research Center of the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute) and started experimenting with growing coffee. The very first coffee tree in Taiwan was thus planted in Pingtung, after which cultivation continued to spread to other regions in Taiwan up until 1929.

Recent years, there have been shops combining high quality coffee beans with well-preserved buildings, creating an inviting atmosphere and relaxing space with the aroma of freshly brewed beverages for visitors to enjoy. Next time when you’re in Pingtung, make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to sip on a delicious cup of locally brewed coffee!

Tai Wu Elementary School Slate House 泰小石板屋

No. 1, Afulu’an Rd., Taiwu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan

Villagers in Taiwu Township have been growing coffee since the Japanese colonial period. Each ripe coffee cherry is handpicked and roasted locally, suffusing the entire space with the fragrant aroma of freshly ground and brewed coffee. Apart from offering a delightful DIY coffee roasting experience, visitors can also enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the local indigenous people.

Yamato Coffee 大和頓物所

No. 26, Fengming Rd., Zhutian Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan

Situated next to the Zhutian (竹田) Railway Station, which was built in 1919, the distinctive Yamato Coffee House is actually a remodeled old rice mill. Incorporating only the finest local ingredients, the coffee and dessert offered mingle harmoniously with the sweet memories of days gone by.
[FULL  STORY]

No handling fee on exchanges that accept foreign banknotes in exchange for New Taiwan dollars

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/12/11
By: Sophia Yang, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Hi-Life convenience store in the Dihua business circle in Taipei has an ATM that can carry out foreign currency exchange services, accepting foreign banknotes such as US dollars, Japanese yen, and Renminbi in exchange for New Taiwan dollar (NTD) banknotes.

The machine can also change NT dollars into USD, RMB, and JPY, according to a statement from the country's third-largest convenience store chain.

To tap into the growing tourist market, Hi-Life is rolling out the foreign currency exchange service at the store, in collaboration with Shin Kong Commercial Bank. It offers a free or extremely low handling fee, following a cross-border payment initiative with South Korea's GLN Hana Members, announced in September.

Hana Members can make payments at Hi-Life's 1,380 stores across Taiwan, using e-pockets, by presenting their individual QR codes on their phones.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/12/11
By: Chang Chien-chung and Frances Huang

Taipei, Dec. 11 (CNA) GlobalWafers Co., a leading silicon wafer supplier in Taiwan, has decided to repatriate US$350 million for investments, taking advantage of a preferential tax status created by a newly passed law that encourages local firms to repatriate retained earnings.

In a statement released Tuesday, GlobalWafers said the plan for fund repatriation has been approved by its board of directors and is scheduled to be completed in the first half of next year.

GlobalWafers is among the major local enterprises with a worldwide production network that have responded to government incentives to invest back home in a bid to boost local industrial development and eventually the domestic economy.

The new law, which went into effect Aug. 15, allows retained earnings to return and be taxed at a lower preferential tax rate rather than at the standard corporate income tax rate.    [FULL  STORY]

Employees of several Taiwanese banks said to be getting raises of 2.5 % or higher

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/12/10
By: Sophia Yang, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, is planning to give pay raises of at least 3 percent to employees by the end of the year.

Largan Precision, the supplier for iPhone's camera lens module; smartphone and laptop maker Asus; and display panel maker AU Optronics are also among the Taiwanese tech companies announcing a salary increase, with each set to give employees raises of 3 percent, 3 to 5 percent, and 7 percent, respectively, according to a report.

Meanwhile, Hsinchu-based NOR flash and NAND flash memory chipmaker Macronix International announced on Monday (Dec. 9) at its 30th-anniversary celebration that it will give each employee a red envelope of NT$10,000 (US$328) as an additional bonus, as well as a pay raise plan, as the company has secured more orders from international 5G companies, including China's Huawei, and a NOR flash market share leadership with around 80 percent revenue share.

Largan CEO Enping Lin (林恩平) told media that the company has been giving employees an average raise of 3 percent year after year.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/12/10
By: Wang Shu-fen and Evelyn Kao

Taipei, Dec. 10 (CNA) StarLux Airlines Co. Ltd., a newly established Taiwan-based international carrier, will soon begin selling tickets once it receives a permit of operations from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the airline said Tuesday.

The ministry on Tuesday approved the carrier's application to operate and will issue an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) to the company through the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), the carrier said.

StarLux is planning to start commercial services Jan. 23, offering flights to Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia using the Airbus A321neo aircraft, according to the company.

On launch day, it is scheduled to begin services to Macau, Danang in Vietnam and Penang in Malaysia, the company said.    [FULL  STORY]