台北報導
機上盒（STB）晶片廠揚智（3041）新解決方案6月開始供貨，加上世足賽出貨旺季，印度付費電視運營商重啟回補庫存需求，法人看好，將可望帶動揚智本月營收衝出月增6成表現，並可望站上單月3億元關卡，挑戰9個月以來新高。
此外，第三季半導體旺季即將到來，法人表示，機上盒市場愈來愈普及，揚智已經卡位印度、中南美及東南亞等市場，隨著客戶拉貨力道續強，下季營收也可望繳出雙位數成長。
揚智公告5月合併營收1.82億元、月減10.5％，相較去年同期減少27.5％。不過，市場傳出，揚智6月營收可望明顯回溫。
四年一度的世界盃足球賽將於本（6）月14日開打，帶動今年上半年機上盒需求升溫，但礙於被動元件漲價問題，使客戶對於回補庫存始終抱持觀望態度。
供應鏈指出，現在系統廠庫存水位已經降低，且第三季半導體旺季即將到來，系統廠已於6月啟動回補庫存，揚智機上盒晶片出貨表現不俗。
法人看好，揚智6月受到回補庫存及新方案等兩大利多，帶動機上盒晶片出貨暢旺，看好揚智今年6月合併營收將可望大幅彈升，相較5月將可成長六成，有機會一舉衝上9個月以來新高，一掃今年營運低迷的態勢。

Following a presentation by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on progress and results of the Smart Machinery Development Program, Premier Lai Ching-te instructed the MOEA, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Labor to continue coordinating and guiding the efforts of industry, academia and researchers to produce innovative capabilities.

The ministries were also directed to assist with the development of smart manufacturing and the resolution of any shared issues facing the industries involved. Proactive steps to cultivate interdisciplinary talent and help steer the transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises will be undertaken, as well.

Smart machinery is one of the areas promoted as part of the government’s “five plus two” innovative industries program, as well as an important element of President Tsai Ing-wen’s policies, said the premier. The goal is to upgrade existing capabilities in precision machinery and information and communications technology to allow smart manufacturing, ultimately transforming Taiwan into the world’s research, development and manufacturing center for smart machinery and key components used in high-end equipment.

Premier Lai thanked industry for its dedicated efforts as part of public-private cooperation—with the assistance from the MOEA and local governments—to push the value of machinery production to over NT$1.1 trillion (US$36.1 billion) in 2017, elevating the business to become one of Taiwan’s three “trillion dollar” industries. The premier instructed the MOEA to work with local governments to carry out related work and promote these successes throughout the nation.

The MOEA indicated that the government’s promotion of smart machinery is focused on building a comprehensive ecosystem for related development and guiding targeted industries into smart manufacturing. Following a strategy of connecting with local communities, the future and the world, these efforts are expected to entrench the smart machinery industry, nurture expertise and talent, and carry forward the transformation and upgrade of the industrial landscape. Success will achieve such goals as expanding international cooperation and creating business opportunities.

Taiwan’s smart manufacturing industry in 2017 attracted NT$53.89 billion (US$1.77 billion) in major investments, according to the MOEA, and employed an estimated 308,000 people, for a gain of over 6,360 jobs compared to 2016. Furthermore, Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry data show that thanks to the combined efforts of businesses and government, machinery industry production broke through the trillion-dollar ceiling in 2017 by growing 11.1 percent to about NT$1.1 trillion.

Premier Lai Ching-te on Monday said the Digital Nation and Innovative Economic Development Program (DIGI+) is a vital part of the Executive Yuan’s smart nation policy that also provides fertile soil for the “five plus two” innovative industries, boosts Taiwan’s competitiveness, and enhances the quality of life.

The premier’s remarks came at the second committee meeting of the Executive Yuan’s DIGI+ Task Force, during which the Office of Science and Technology (OST) reported on the progress and future directions of the DIGI+ program.

The OST said the program saw major accomplishments in 2017 thanks to support from Taiwan’s public and private sectors. New innovation laws including the Financial Technology Development and Innovative Experimentation Act and the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals were passed by the Legislature, enabling innovation in financial technology and closing the tech talent and skills deficit for industries.

Free Wi-Fi services were also rolled out in public places including the high speed rail, the entire Taoyuan airport metro line including carriages and stations, the Taoyuan international airport, and many stations along the Taiwan railway system. A one-stop disaster information website has also been set up, giving the public access to the latest information on typhoons, school and business closings, road closures, and outages and restoration of water, electricity and telephone services, the OST said.

The Executive Yuan continues to promote several other initiatives in 2018. First, the AI Taiwan Action Plan will train specialists in artificial intelligence (AI) while promoting the development of AI technologies. Tech giant Microsoft Corp. has committed to setting up an AI research hub in Taiwan, and Google has plans to make Taiwan its largest R&D base in Asia.

Second, the government will promote an action plan for improving the fundraising environment for startups. Its objectives are to nurture at least one unicorn—a startup valued at more than US$1 billion—in the next two years, and increase investments in startups by NT$5 billion (US$171.6 million) a year for the next five years.

The third initiative is a cybersecurity industry development action plan with the goal of establishing a world-class entrepreneurial base for Taiwan’s information security industry. The government aims to nurture 40 new cybersecurity companies by 2025 and double the industry’s output value to NT$78 billion (US$2.7 billion) in eight years.

Premier Lai Ching-te on Monday said that the principles of bilateralism, diversity and win-win collaboration will guide the government’s implementation of the New Southbound Policy. Taiwan will seek to engage the targeted countries through mutual exchanges across a diverse range of cooperative projects that will yield positive outcomes for all. By approaching relations with a deep sense of understanding, Taiwan will be able to achieve true bilateral cooperation.

In order to secure fair investment opportunities for Taiwan’s businesses, the premier expects related ministries and agencies to provide back-end support and assistance. The government will also aid companies in overcoming barriers to investment, and take advantage of diplomacy, legislative contacts, non-governmental organizations and other such diverse channels to help the business community clear up investment disputes.

In addition, the government will arrange technology, capital and training support, together with points of contact for Taiwanese companies operating in targeted countries in order to resolve investment difficulties and ensure fair treatment. Given the importance of investment protection and promotion agreements, Premier Lai instructed the Ministry of Finance to give priority to facilitating bilateral tax accords. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Overseas Community Affairs Council were directed to provide assistance, as well.

The New Southbound Policy is rooted in meeting the needs of Taiwan’s continuing economic growth, said the premier. Related strategic plans were formulated with an eye toward mutual benefits and wide-ranging development so that the nation’s capabilities can be applied to participation in regional economic integration. The policy will accelerate mutually beneficial cooperation with regional partners and bring balance to Taiwan’s external relations and international presence. By transforming the nation’s economic structure and industrial character, the New Southbound Policy will help secure the long-term success of Taiwan’s ongoing development.