Taiwan’s economy, along with related exchange traded fund (ETF), has a strong tech sector supporting it, with the country’s computer maker making itself into a reputable international name brand. The island is also readying itself for acceptance into an Asian trade association, but it will have to work out a kink.
With long lines snaking around the convention center, thousands crammed into a tiny space, jostling each other about, and solicitous hawkers inviting you to play with their shiny, new gadgets, the computer trade show in Taipei became the place for Taiwan’s computer-brand Acer to flaunt its popular mini laptop, comments Scott Tong for MarketPlace. Acer also showcased its new touch-screen models and 3D notebooks, with the aid of trusty 3D glasses. [Taiwan’s tech companies push to the front.]
The small island’s success is attributed to cheap labor, import of technologies from foreign brands, engineers trained in America and government-funded industrial centers. Now, Taiwan will need to create service jobs, such as designing computers and branding them to stay competitive in the future. [ETF plays for Asian growth.]
In the past quarter, Acer became the world’s second-premier PC sell, lagging behind HP (NYSE: HPQ).
The positive developments between China and Taiwan have helped Taiwan toward signing on the free trade pacts between The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), report Erin Ho and Fanny Liu for Taiwan News. Still, any relations between Taiwan and ASEAN will be on hold until any permanent changes occur in China-Taiwan relations. Sovereignty issues will need to be resolved before Taiwan’s integration into the ASEAN. [How Taiwan can regain its footing.]
For more information on Taiwan, visit our Taiwan category.
- iShares MSCI Taiwan Index (NYSEArca: EWT): up 62.5% year-to-date
Max Chen contributed to this article.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.