Taiwan’s per GNP is expected to top US$20,000 this year if its overall economic growth exceeds 5 percent, Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang (施顏祥) said yesterday.
Speaking at the legislature, Shih said Taiwan could have a chance of catching up with South Korea in per capita GNP this year.
He said South Korea’a per capita GNP stood at US$21,695 in 2007, but it slid to US$19,296 in 2008 because of the global -financial meltdown.
It slumped further to US$17,193 in 2009 before rebounding to US$20,759 last year.
TAIWAN
In comparison, Taiwan’s per capita GNP was US$17,596 in 2007, a figure that increased slightly to US$17,833 in 2008, but slumped to US$16,895 the following year, Shih quoted Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) tallies as indicating.
Taiwan’s per capita GNP -rebounded to US$19,188 last year after riding out the global downturn, he added.
He also quoted the DGBAS as forecasting that Taiwan’s GNP per capita would surpass the US$20,000 mark this year, probably reaching US$21,396, as the domestic economy continues to gain momentum.
Other factors, including currency exchange rates, will contribute to determine whether Taiwan is able to catch up with South Korea this year, Shih said.
PROTECTIONISM: China hopes to help domestic chipmakers gain more market share while preparing local tech companies for the possibility of more US sanctions Beijing is stepping up pressure on Chinese companies to buy locally produced artificial intelligence (AI) chips instead of Nvidia Corp products, part of the nation’s effort to expand its semiconductor industry and counter US sanctions. Chinese regulators have been discouraging companies from purchasing Nvidia’s H20 chips, which are used to develop and run AI models, sources familiar with the matter said. The policy has taken the form of guidance rather than an outright ban, as Beijing wants to avoid handicapping its own AI start-ups and escalating tensions with the US, said the sources, who asked not to be identified because the
Taipei is today suspending its US$2.5 trillion stock market as Super Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan with strong winds and heavy rain. The nation is not conducting securities, currency or fixed-income trading, statements from its stock and currency exchanges said. Yesterday, schools and offices were closed in several cities and counties in southern and eastern Taiwan, including in the key industrial port city of Kaohsiung. Taiwan, which started canceling flights, ship sailings and some train services earlier this week, has wind and rain advisories in place for much of the island. It regularly experiences typhoons, and in July shut offices and schools as
Her white-gloved, waistcoated uniform impeccable, 22-year-old Hazuki Okuno boards a bullet train replica to rehearse the strict protocols behind the smooth operation of a Japanese institution turning 60 Tuesday. High-speed Shinkansen trains began running between Tokyo and Osaka on Oct. 1, 1964, heralding a new era for rail travel as Japan grew into an economic superpower after World War II. The service remains integral to the nation’s economy and way of life — so keeping it dazzlingly clean, punctual and accident-free is a serious job. At a 10-story, state-of-the-art staff training center, Okuno shouted from the window and signaled to imaginary colleagues, keeping
Arm Holdings PLC approached Intel Corp about potentially buying the ailing chipmaker’s product division, only to be told that the business is not for sale, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter. In the high-level inquiry, Arm did not express interest in Intel’s manufacturing operations, said the source, who asked not to be identified because the discussions were private. Intel has two main units: A product group that sells chips for personal computers, servers and networking equipment, and another that operates its factories. Representatives for Arm and Intel declined to comment. Intel, once the world’s largest chipmaker, has become the
RSS