Forward-looking‧Professional‧International 
December 2018  
Global demand shows weakening signs
TIER composite indicators continue to express pessimism
The US economy is probably the only economy in the world that has continued its expansion mold. As a result, the Federal Reserve (Fed) decided to hike the federal funds rate to 2.25-2.5%, although president Trump did not appreciate the tightening measure at all. Given weakening demand externally, the service and manufacturing composite indicators issued by the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER) decline for the fourth consecutive month.
Taiwan's exports in November 2018 decreased by 3.43% compared with the same month of 2017. Regarding imports, Taiwan's imports in November 2018 increased by 1.06% compared with imports in November 2017. Exports and imports grew by 6.8% and 11.4% y-o-y respectively from January 1st till the end of November this year, Taiwan's exports and imports gave a trade surplus of US$ 44.68 billion or a decrease by 13.82% on a y-o-y basis for the first 11 months of this year.
Taiwan's consumer price index (CPI) grew by 0.31% in November 2018 compared with the same month of previous year. The core inflation rate excluding prices of the energy and food grew by 0.67% in November, 2018.
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Self-driving bus program begins trials in Taichung
A self-driving bus program on Friday began trials at the Shueinan Economic and Trade Park in Taichung’s Situn District, in the nation’s foray into the international market for self-driving vehicles. Trials are to run through Jan. 20 for the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)-led program, with plans to have buses operating on public roads in 2020. (Source: Taipei Times)

Two new investors were approved to station in Export Processing Zone. The total investment figures amounted over NT$ 700 million (Source: MOEA)
Taiwan Economic Research Monthly
New Era: Contents industry in digital economy
The development and future of global OTT audio and video industry in 2017-2022
The competition and cooperation between the OTT-V industry chain has become an important development trend of the audiovisual industry at this stage. Under the circumstance of contending, Taiwan's OTT operators are facing the impact of transnational audiovisual industry. It is necessary to find vertical or horizontal cooperation mechanism in the industrial value chain.
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