Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/02/27
By: Huang Chiao-wen and Frances Huang

Taipei, Feb. 27 (CNA) Bucking an economic slowdown at home and abroad, sales in Taiwan’s retail sector in January rose to a new monthly high because of strong demand ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in February, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

Sales posted by Taiwan’s restaurant and catering sector also moved higher at a time when many enterprises threw annual year-end parties in the run-up to the Lunar New Year holiday, the MOEA said.

Those sales increases were in sharp contrast to the country’s overall sluggish economic performance affected by falling exports amid weakening global demand.     [FULL  STORY]