HTC plans new tablet
Taiwanese handset maker HTC Corp (宏達電) is expected to launch a new tablet computer running Microsoft’s Windows software this year, according to market research and consulting firm NPD DisplaySearch.
The new HTC tablet might utilize a 10.1-inch display manufactured by South Korea-based LG Display Co with full-HD resolution of 1920 x 1080, or 218 pixels per inch, DisplaySearch said in a report released on Thursday at its annual conference in Taipei.
The new tablet might be assembled by Taiwanese contract laptop maker Pegatron Corp (和碩). Some observers even believe mass production began in the first quarter of this year, DisplaySearch said.
Both HTC and Microsoft have declined to comment.
Transglobe completes takeover
Transglobe Life Insurance Inc (全球人壽) completed its takeover of financially troubled Kuo Hua Life Insurance Co (國華人壽) on Saturday, a move that is expected to make TransGlobe Life the nation’s seventh-biggest life insurer by assets.
After the takeover, Transglobe Life will have 2 million policyholders (including 1.4 million from Kuo Hua Life) and a staff of about 3,500 people. Its net worth is expected to exceed NT$10 billion (US$335.57 million) and its risk-based capital ratio will exceed 250 percent, meeting the Financial Supervisory Commission’s requirements.
In the first two months of this year, the two companies combined had total premium revenues exceeding NT$11.3 billion and total assets of more than NT$620 billion.
Property market growing
Taiwan’s property market experienced active trading last month — enjoying a growth rate of 15 percent year on year amid a recovery in the global economy, Sinyi Realty Inc (信義房屋) said on Saturday.
Tseng Chin-der (曾敬德), from Sinyi Realty’s planning and research office, said the trading of housing units has been boosted by a rise in international stock trading since the end of the global financial crisis.
Tseng said sales of housing units have been increasing since the Lunar New Year holiday in February. A pickup in sales was observed in New Taipei City (新北市), Taoyuan County, Greater Taichung and Greater Kaohsiung, he added.
Petrochemicals set for boost
About NT$100 billion will be invested in the nation’s petrochemical industry this year, including NT$15 billion in high-value petrochemical sectors, the Council for Economic Planning and Development said on Saturday.
Total investment should be similar to last year, when a total of NT$99 billion was invested in 65 projects, according to government statistics.
However, investment in high-value production is expected to rise about 13 percent, from NT$13.3 billion last year, supported by a program approved by the Cabinet last year to promote high value-added petrochemical development, the council said.
PV industry to be promoted
The Bureau of Energy on Saturday said it would promote the nation’s photovoltaic (PV) industry by upgrading quality and tapping into overseas markets.
The bureau said it would organize business delegations to the US and Europe in July and October respectively to promote the country’s PV industry.
According to a forecast by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association, the world’s PV market is continuing to grow, with installed capacity expected to reach 4 billion GWp next year. It also noted that the industry’s global supply chain is moving toward Asia.
Taiwanese receive BBJ tour
Boeing gave a guided tour of its Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to Taiwanese billionaires on Thursday, in the hope of tapping into what it sees as a developing luxury market.
The luxury jet, which has a non-stop flight range of 13 hours, is equipped with conference rooms, a master bedroom, an office, kitchen and a cafeteria. It is priced at around US$90 million, with an additional 5 percent to 8 percent per annum in maintenance fees.
The company has sold 157 BBJs worldwide, including one to Evergreen Group (長榮集團) founder and chairman Chang Yung-fa (張榮發).
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