Pungent prices: Taiwan's triads have taken over the garlic trade

Article Abstract:

The price of garlic has escalated in Taiwan because gangsters are dealing in the pungent bulb and the government has imposed restrictions on garlic imports, leading to scarcities. The gangsters are hoarding garlic and manipulating the market to keep the prices up. Although the government has imposed quotas on garlic sales, the gangsters have sidestepped the restrictions. Their companies either acquire large percentages of the import licenses or they intimidate traders to sell to them. Government officials now say they should have allowed more garlic imports.

Vegetables and melons, Garlic, Other Vegetable (except Potato) and Melon Farming, Vegetable industry, Organized crime

---

Hard knocks; Taiwan Cement row highlights changing climate

Article Abstract:

Taiwan Cement's embroilment in a dispute over plant expansion illustrates the growing strength of local groups and the environmental lobby in Taiwan. The city of Halien in May 1995 stopped operations at a factory saying it had not gotten proper approvals for expansion, including an environmental review. Then it accused the company and its president of paying NT$40 million in bribes. Taiwan Cement, with some support, says the central govt approved its plans, and the city councillors' attack may have personal motives.

Cement, hydraulic, Cement, Cement Manufacturing, Political activity, Taiwan Cement Corp., Influence buying

---

Defying gravity: Taiwan glut has little pull on prices

Article Abstract:

The Taiwanese real estate market is still growing, despite vacancy rates of 10% in the city and 50% in the suburbs. The continued growth is likely a result of the banking industry propping up the market by continuing to offer loans and refusing to repossess real estate collateral. This is because, with over 50% of all lending backed by real estate, a crash in real estate values would devastate the banking industry.

Banking industry, Investments, Real estate industry, Bank investments

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Government incentives and the financial services sector in Scotland. A select replication of the Cecchini microeconomic methodology on the EFTA financial services sectors: a note and critique
• Abstracts: Switzerland gets ready for takeover boom. A bumper year for Swiss M and A. Utilities on the block
• Abstracts: Mailstrom! The rush to postal profits. How do they manage it? Dividing the spoils: is a demerger an unbundling of business to improve shareholder value, or a way of un-bungling an overburdened management team?
• Abstracts: The bean counter bites back. Tunnel vision on Europe. Big trouble at Littlewoods: later this month, the shareholders of one of Britain's largest family-owned companies will meet to consider an offer
• Abstracts: Escape to New York: for a growing number of trendy young Japanese, cool means slumming it in the Big Apple. Send in the clowns: North Korea welcomes foreigners to a bizarre festival - but no one knows why

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.