Forward-looking‧Professional‧International 
December 2013  
Next Episode of Recuperating West and Decelerating East
TIER Business Composite Indicators Show Signs of Slowing Down
Following the first episode of recuperating west versus decelerating east, the new episode with a similar chapter is on. The US economy has been firmly on the recovery track with the solid evidence that the Fed announced recently to cut down its monthly QE balance by US$ 10 billion starting in January 2014.
In spite of the quarterly GDP growth on y-o-y basis of the Euro zone remains negative for the 7th consecutive quarter, the growth on q-o-q has been positive since the second quarter of this year. Furthermore, the European sovereign debt risk subsides with declining long term bond yields in recent times.
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Taiwan hourly minimum wage expected to raise in 2014
The hourly minimum wage in Taiwan will be increased from the current NT$109 to NT$115 (US$3.84), starting from 2014, the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) announced on 30th December 2013. In cases where the hourly minimum wage of employees falls below NT$115, employers should make adjustments in accordance with the new regulation, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2014, said the CLA. It said that starting July 1, 2014, the minimum monthly wage will also be raised, from NT$19,047 to NT$19,273. Employers who fail to abide by the new minimum wage regulations could face a fine of between NT$20,000 and NT$300,000, the labor council warned. (Source: The China Post)

Economic agreement with Singapore promotes Taiwan’s regional integration (Source: National Development Council)
Taiwan Economic Research Monthly
An invisible driving engine to Taiwan low carbon economy
Global carbon reduction policy development and inspiration
Annual active consultations and negotiations by signing the convention on environment and ecology, trying to control atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gas and to prevent climate system from artificial interference and hazards in order to curb the international threat of climate change since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit in Brazil.
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