Headline News
Thanks to the global community for sympathy after earthquake
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 63 nations and 4 international organizations have offered concern and sympathy to Taiwan, after the recent magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck Hualien Country in eastern Taiwan.
The government is deeply grateful for the shown international concern.
President Tsai Ing-wen expressed gratitude to the many countries and leaders, including Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama, for the sympathy, support and blessing to Taiwan.
The quake claimed 17 lives and injured 285 persons.
Taiwanese cities among top seven Intelligent Communities for 2018
Chiayi, Tainan and Taoyuan are named among the top seven Intelligent Communities for 2018 by the New York-based think tank Intelligent Community Forum (ICF).
The ICF said that one of the seven cities will be chosen as the Intelligent Community of the Year to succeed Melbourne, Australia, which was the top city in 2017.
The four other cities are Ipswich of Australia, Hamilton and Winnipeg in Canada and Espoo in Finland.
The seven cities are evaluated on six indicators: broadband environment, knowledge workforce, innovation ability, digital equality, intelligent environmental sustainability and advocacy for positive change in an intelligent community.
The final selection will be made in June, during the Intelligent Community Forum’s Annual Summit in London.
Taipei and Taichung were awarded the title of Intelligent Community of the Year respectively in 2006 and 2013.
Economy
Taiwan ranks 13th for economic freedom
The US Heritage Foundation ranks Taiwan 13th in the 2018 global ranking index for economic freedom.
Although Taiwan dropped two places from last year, it recorded improvements in government integrity, judicial effectiveness, government spending, tax burden and fiscal health, with its performance in trade freedom and financial freedom unchanged.
The drop in ranking was mainly due to a lower score in investment freedom. The Heritage Foundation recommended Taiwan to “make more reforms to increase competition and openness.”
The Netherlands and Taiwan main areas for exchanges in 2018
The Netherlands Trade and Investment Office (NTIO) has outlined offshore wind energy, agriculture technology and circular economy as the three areas for closer exchanges with Taiwan in 2018.
The NTIO said that in 2018 it will cooperate with Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs to hold a bilateral forum on recycle energy policies and industry. It will also promote the sharing of Dutch expertise in agricultural planning with the concept of circular economy as well as the introduction of Dutch automatic smart horticulture equipment and innovative technology to Taiwan.
Also Dutch agricultural products and foods will be promoted, including pork and veal. Veal has been imported in Taiwan since September 2017.
Advantech doubling office space and warehouse in Eindhoven
Taiwan’s Advantech Co, the world’s largest industrial computer supplier, has tripled its assembling capacity in Europe to reach its revenue target of US$434 million per year set for the region by 2025.
The expansion is part of the company’s plan to bolster its presence in Europe by doubling its office and warehouse space in its new service center in Eindhoven.
The new center will demonstrate Advantech’s latest Internet-of-Things technology and services, including intelligent building automation applications.
Advantech operates 14 offices in 10 European countries and employs more than 400 people.
Society
Taiwan baker wins first prize in Artistic Bread Making category
Taiwanese baker Wang Peng-chieh captured the first prize in the Artistic Bread Making category at the International Masters de la Boulangerie competition, which was held earlier this month in Paris.
The Masters de la Boulangerie brings together the best 18 bakers in the world in an innovative competition for the prestigious title of “World Master Baker.”
