The outlook for Taiwan's biotechnology sector in the second half of this year is encouraging, and investment for the whole of 2004 is expected to exceed the average level in recent years, according to forecasts by a government unit.
The Industrial Technology Information Service (ITIS) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) estimated that investment to be channeled into the domestic industry will top NT$20 billion (US$593.5 million) -- the average level for the last three years -- for the whole of 2004. The ITIS made the estimate on the grounds that investor willingness in the industry is strong, pointing to surveys as proof.
Citing the results of two polls made in the first and the second quarter this year, an ITIS analyst revealed that planned investment levels by companies jumped from an average of NT$4.78 billion to up to NT$9 billion.
At a time when Taiwan's population is rapidly aging and the demand for medication is rising, the analyst expressed her optimism that investment money will flock into the domestic sector to surpass the level of NT$20 billion for the whole year. Looking back to the first half of this year, she claimed that various government policies have also paid off in efforts to promote the domestic industry. For instance, she said, the Science and Technology Advisory Group under the Executive Yuan announced that it will set up a gene databank, taking advantage of Taiwan's multi-ethnic environment, to launch research on diseases in particular related to Chinese people across the globe. The databank will be the first of its kind in the world dedicated to Chinese people, she said.
The private sector has also been in full swing to forge cooperative ventures with foreign enterprises, ranging from new drug development and market exploration, she added.
The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Wanda-Zhonghe Line is 81.7 percent complete, with public opening targeted for the end of 2027, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said today. Surrounding roads are to be open to the public by the end of next year, Hou said during an inspection of construction progress. The 9.5km line, featuring nine underground stations and one depot, is expected to connect Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Chukuang Station in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和). All 18 tunnels for the line are complete, while the main structures of the stations and depot are mostly finished, he
Taipei is to implement widespread road closures around Taipei 101 on Friday to make way for large crowds during the Double Ten National Day celebration, the Taipei Department of Transportation said. A four-minute fireworks display is to be launched from the skyscraper, along with a performance by 500 drones flying in formation above the nearby Nanshan A21 site, starting at 10pm. Vehicle restrictions would occur in phases, they said. From 5pm to 9pm, inner lanes of Songshou Road between Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101 are to be closed, with only the outer lanes remaining open. Between 9pm and 9:40pm, the section is
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday hosted a reception to celebrate Double Ten National Day. Conservative Canadian lawmaker Marc Dalton called Taiwan a “beacon of courage and resilience in the face of rising authoritarianism,” according to a post on the Taiwan in Vancouver Facebook page. Also in attendance were fellow conservative caucus members Tako Van Popta and Chak Au, who said that Taiwan plays an “indispensable role” in ensuring global peace, prosperity and stability due to its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region, it said. Canadian lawmaker Michael Cooper also recorded a message wishing Taiwan a
RSS