AmCham Taipei released the 2020 Taiwan Business Climate Survey results at a press conference at the AmCham Taipei Lincoln Room on March 4. ➤ Download the complete survey: bit.ly/2GSS6SY

1. C.W. Chin
Chairman
American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei
March 4, 2020
2020 TAIWAN
BUSINESS CLIMATE SURVEY
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2. How confident are you about Taiwan’s economic growth
over the next 12 months?
2020
60%
somewhat or
very confident
2019
46%
somewhat or
very confident
14 percentage point increase
from previous year
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3. How confident are you about Taiwan’s economic growth
over the next 12 months?
67 respondents answered
between January 14 and January 22
73%
somewhat or
very confident
130 respondents answered
between January 23 and February 17
53%
somewhat or
very confident
After coronavirus outbreakBefore coronavirus outbreak
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4. How confident are you about Taiwan’s economic growth
over the next 3 years?
2020
70.6%
somewhat or
very confident
2019
54%
Somewhat or
very confident
Over 16 percentage point increase
from previous year
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5. How confident are you about Taiwan’s economic growth
over the next 3 years?
67 respondents answered
between January 14 and January 22
67%
somewhat or
very confident
130 respondents answered
between January 23 and February 17
72%
somewhat or
very confident
After coronavirus outbreakBefore coronavirus outbreak
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6. How confident are you about your
company’s prospects for revenue growth?
Over next 12 months
77.7%
either somewhat or very
confident
Over next 3 years
81.7%
either somewhat or very
confident
Taiwan continues to be a
positive environment for multinationals
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7. Factors that might be affecting
the business outlook positively
Substantial investment returning to Taiwan
from China.
Well-run 2020 presidential/legislative elections.
Strong state of the relationship with the U.S.
Booming semiconductor industry.
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8. Impact of U.S.-China trade dispute
On your business in 2019
Large extent
10.75%
Some extent
29.03%
Small extent
36.56%
Not at all
21.51%
Don't know
2.15%
Negative
20%
Mixed
31%
Positive
47%
Don't know
3%
On Taiwan so far
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9. Has U.S. trade policy been clear and consistent enough over the
past year to enable you to engage in reasonable business planning?
32%
Say NO
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10. Is it important for your business for TIFA talks
with the U.S. to resume soon?
59%
Say yes
Bilateral TIFA talks have not been held since 2016.
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11. Opportunities for Growth
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12. Main business growth opportunity for your company in
Taiwan over the next 12 months
Product or service innovation
50.3%
Existing market expansion
28.9%
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13. More than a third of companies plan to increase
the number of fulltime equivalent employees this year
nearly
35%
Plan to increase
57%
Largely unchanged
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After coronavirus outbreakBefore coronavirus outbreak
Overall
35%
Plan to
increase
56%
Largely
unchanged
nearly
34%
Plan to
increase
nearly
58%
Largely
unchanged

14. Overall, companies are still satisfied with their ability to
recruit enough – and sufficiently capable – personnel
2020
56%
Expressed satisfaction
2019
59%
Expressed satisfaction
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15. Survey-takers continue to show enthusiasm
about the quality of Taiwan’s human capital
• Trustworthiness
• Execution of assigned tasks
• Loyalty
• Teamwork
• Industriousness
• Business ethics
Top 6
Out of 18 characteristics --
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16. Key Areas of Concern
Regulatory Framework, Energy, Labor Policies
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17. Regulatory framework
法規制定
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18. Are you satisfied with top policymakers’ attention to the
needs of businesses in setting relevant policies?
nearly
27%
satisfied
over
36%
Not satisfied
Another 36% were “Neutral”
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19. Continued modest improvement
in regulatory environment
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20. Quarterly meetings with National Development Council to
achieve progress on White Paper issues have been productive.
over
56%
Very or somewhat
satisfied
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21. Energy
能源政策
21

22. The level of concern
has dropped sharply,
possibly because of
progress in developing
renewables.
nearly
60%
Extremely or
somewhat concerned
(73% in 2019)
Voltage stability
nearly
69%Extremely or somewhat
concerned
nearly
60%
Extremely or
somewhat concerned
(70% in 2019)
Electricity Cost
Energy Supply
(87% in 2019)
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23. 61.5%
say it will affect their
expansion decisions
to some degree.
The goal of
making Taiwan
nuclear free by
2025 will impact
their company’s
decisions to
expand.
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24. Labor policies
勞動政策
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25. Nearly half of respondents
disagreed that current
regulations provide sufficient
flexibility to meet their
company’s needs.
45%
Disagreed
Over 40% of respondents
disagreed with the statement
that current labor policies will
make it more likely for their
company to expand in Taiwan.
Almost
43%
Disagreed (55% in 2019)
(45% in
2019)
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26. Why Taiwan?
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27. Why Taiwan is seen as an excellent place to live and work
Personal safety
Healthcare system
Friendliness toward foreigners
Social stability
Living costs
Top 5 Reasons:
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28. What were the most important initiatives
undertaken by the government in 2019?
Promotion of green energy
5+2 Innovative Industry program
Protecting Taiwan’s democracy
Labor Law revisions
New Southbound policy
Marriage equality legislation
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29. Cross-Strait relations
Energy
Labor policies
Bilateral trade agreement with the U.S.
Boosting investment
Talent cultivation and retention
What should be the top priorities in the next Presidential
term?
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30. Methodology
 The survey was conducted from January 14 to February 17, 2020. (The
timing was later than in previous years in order to start after the
conclusion of the January 11 presidential/legislative elections).
 Based on input from 197 voting members of the Chamber – mainly
country heads – for a gratifying response rate of 50.3%.
 AmCham Taipei thanks Thomas Ivacko, Interim Director, Center for Local,
State, and Urban Policy, at the Ford School of Public Policy at the
University of Michigan for technical guidance in conducting the survey.
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31. THANK YOU
Download Full Report
Follow Us On
or visit us www.amcham.com.tw
Facebook: amchamtaipei
Twitter: amchamtaipei
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