The private-run Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER, 台經院) yesterday cut its GDP growth forecast for Taiwan to 4.07 percent, from the 4.11 percent it predicted in November, in light of likely slower growth in the US and the EU.
But the institute adjusted upward its GDP growth estimate for last year to 4.25 percent from 4.01 percent as a result of a robust 13.09-percent increase in exports in the third quarter.
TIER said that exports this year should increase by 5.51 percent -- only half of last year's forecast growth rate.
As the consumer credit problem is expected to ease further, domestic consumption would see 2.83 percent growth, up from 1.36 percent last year, TIER said.
The institute also released its reading on the leading industry index. Its business climate index of the service industry increased 2.76 points to 109.75 last month.
TIER added that the results of its survey on manufacturing outlook showed that 38 percent of the companies polled expected the economy to improve in the next six months, up from 30 percent a month earlier. Meanwhile, 49 percent held a neutral view, a decline from 56.4 percent in the previous month.
The domestic unit of the Chinese-owned, Dutch-headquartered chipmaker Nexperia BV will soon be able to produce semiconductors locally within China, according to two company sources. Nexperia is at the center of a global tug-of-war over critical semiconductor technology, with a Dutch court in February ordering a probe into alleged mismanagement at the company. The geopolitical tussle has disrupted supply chains, with some carmakers reportedly forced to cut production due to chip shortages. Local production would allow Nexperia’s domestic arm, Nexperia Semiconductors (China) Ltd (安世半導體中國), to bypass restrictions in place since October on the supply of silicon wafers — etched with tiny components to
Singapore-based ride-hailing and delivery giant Grab Holdings Ltd has applied for regulatory approval to acquire the Taiwan operations of Germany-based Delivery Hero SE's Foodpanda in a deal valued at about US$600 million. Grab submitted the filing to the Fair Trade Commission on Friday last week, with the transaction subject to regulatory review and approval, the company said in a statement yesterday. Its independent governance structure would help foster a healthy and competitive market in Taiwan if the deal is approved, Grab said. Grab, which is listed on the NASDAQ, said in the filing that US-based Uber Technologies Inc holds about 13 percent of
Taiwan is open to joining a global liquefied natural gas (LNG) program if one is created, but on the condition that countries provide delivery even in a scenario where there is a conflict with China, an energy department official said yesterday. While Taiwan’s priority is to have enough LNG at home, the nation is open to exploring potential strategic reserves in other countries such as Japan or South Korea, Energy Administration Deputy Director-General Chen Chung-hsien (陳崇憲) said. While the LNG market does not have a global reserve for emergencies like that of oil, the concept has been raised a few times —
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) yesterday received government approval to deploy its advanced 3-nanometer (3nm) process at its second fab currently under construction in Japan, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said in a news release. The ministry green-lit the plan for the facility in Kumamoto, which is scheduled to start installing equipment and come online in 2028 with a monthly production capacity of 15,000 12-inch wafers, the ministry said. The Department of Investment Review in June 2024 authorized a US$5.26 billion investment for the facility, slated to manufacture 6- to 12nm chips, significantly less advanced than 3nm process. At a meeting with
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