Taiwan Family is one of the leaders in providing a wide range of massage chairs. Takasima massage chair, is manufactured with professional technology by excelling in product research and quality control, thereby proudly winning acclaim from every rank. Takasima have continuously expanded in markets overseas. For years, they have developed an enviable reputation for advanced technology, quality and reliability. This leather lift massage chair is very reliable. Here are list of its reliability:

1. P.V.C. leather, Burgundy
2. 16 massage balls
3. 3-width adjustment
4. 3-speed adjustment
5. Seat vibration and foot tapping massage
6. Electric backrest and footrest up/down movement with additional lift chair function for the elders(one motor) (up to 30 angle)
7. Armrests designed with storage case

Japanese toilets are really high tech. The seats are raised automatically, pulsating massage spray,heated and now theres even a SD slot and an MP3 player! This one made by Toto has revolutionized the whole toilet industry. Just pick your music, take care of your business, and flush.

American Express is expanding in Taiwan through a tie-up with the island’s EVA Airways as foreign interest in Asia’s fourth-biggest banking market heats up.

American Express will issue a co-branded credit card on Monday with EVA, the island’s No. 2 carrier, after the U.S. company halted issuing new cards for several months last year due to mounting defaults.

Taiwan’s financial sector has become a target for major foreign banks such as Standard Chartered and private equity funds like Carlyle Group [CYL.UL] seeking acquisitions at lower multiples than elsewhere in Asia as Taiwan lenders return to profit.

Taiwan’s domestic banks had a combined pretax profit of T$47.63 billion (US$1.47 billion) from January to July, swinging from T$7.4 billion in losses for the full year of 2006, latest government data showed.

Standard Chartered recently completed its US$1.2 billion merger of a Taiwan lender, while Citigroup  finished its US$436 million merger of another bank.

1. Deep industrial base and strong vertical integration in IT and electronics sectors.

Taiwan’s economic strength is rooted in its industrial base, which started with a manufacturing boom in basic-level exported goods and progressed to technology-intensive industries, such as electrical goods and chemicals. Today Taiwan is one of the world’s largest producers of computer-related products, and boasts an extensive, well-established network of industrial zones and a growing number of high-technology industry clusters, which are supported by high-quality human resources and fully integrated supply-chain networks.

2. Strial research and development capabilities

Taiwan’s rise to prominence in the IT industry has sparked a growing industrial research and development sector — according to the “Indicators of Science and Technology, Taiwan” published in 2006 by National Science Council (NSC), national expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP rose from 2.44% in 2004 to 2.52% in 2005. In the same year, Taiwan published 15,661 scientific dissertations, the 18th highest in the world, and held 5,118 US patents, the fourth largest quantity in the world after the US, Japan and Germany.

3. Entrepreneurial and innovative corporate sector

A strong work ethic and carefully managed economy has produced a nation of aspiring entrepreneurs. As a society that places high value on lifetime careers and employment, many Taiwanese seek to create sustainable and profitable businesses. The majority of businesses in Taiwan are small and medium-sized enterprises, which are known for their novel and innovative approaches to business — particularly in the technology sector, where Taiwan has one of the highest numbers of utility patents in the world.

4. A leading source of venture capital in Asia
Taiwan is home to the largest venture capital industry in Asia. By the end of 2005, there were 231 venture capital firms actually operating in Taiwan, which have raised a total of NT$189.3 billion for 10,295 investment projects, amounting to support for 368 listed and over-the-counter companies. About half of all listed companies in Taiwan are backed by venture capital — although only NT$139 billion has been invested in domestic industries by Taiwan venture capital funds, the industry has generated NT$2 trillion in capital.
5. Advanced harbor infrastructure and central hub for Asian transportation routes

Taiwan has a well-developed harbor infrastructure that accommodates a full range of shipping and transport needs. Two major harbors, Kaohsiung Port and Keelung Port, are in the process of becoming free trade zones, enabling more expedient customs procedures, a faster flow of goods and lower business operating costs. The island’s central location offers the shortest shipping times to the major ports of the Asia-Pacific region, averaging 3 hours by air, and 53 hours by sea from Kaohsiung Port.

6. Mature B2B infrastructure

Taiwan’s highly-integrated industrial base is supported by a mature B2B infrastructure, which has received ample government support. Several programs sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Affairs have allocated over NT$530 million in subsidies to develop E-commerce trade networks for a wide range of industries, including IT services, petrochemicals, textiles, and auto manufacturing. A notable E-business platform has been established by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, which links more than 20,000 Taiwan exporters globally.

7. Chinese and international market experience
Taiwan serves as an ideal test market for companies interested in Mainland China investment, as close cultural and linguistic ties have given Taiwanese businesses an edge in navigating China’s emerging markets. An export-driven economy has brought Taiwan the vast experience needed to work together with international companies, placing the island in a prime position to play a key role in the future integration of the Asia-Pacific region.

Traditional Chinese culture stresses the importance of human interaction. The essence of this interaction is kuan-hsi. It goes far beyond the American concept of networking. Kuan-hsi is developed over a long time period. It reaches down into every aspect of Chinese society, influencing social, political, and commercial relations.

Establishing Kuan-Hsi

A business person’s kuan-hsi building begins with the initial contact. Since the Chinese place heavy emphasis on personal relationships, it is important for the American business person to realize that his/her Chinese counterpart will first want to be on a closer personal basis before actually doing business. Therefore, it is mandatory that American firms take the long-term approach. Before actually looking for business deals Americans should look for a business counterpart in Taiwan.

Americans should seek out the representative of the company with which they want to cooperate. Introductions through a mutual friend, through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), or through international Commercial and social groups provide a necessary human touch. In the United States, business is often conducted through an impersonal advertisement, catalog, or telephone inquiry. Many U.S. manufacturers have no personal knowledge of their customers. In Taiwan, this is not the case. Chinese prefer to do business with people they know. In Taiwan, a human connection will open many doors. The American firm should then follow the personal introduction with an official letter, fax, or telex to arrange a meeting.

During the initial contact period, one way to make a good first impression is to show respect for the Chinese language. As in most Asian societies, the business card has become essential. Although many professionals in Taiwan speak English, an American business person interested in Taiwan should take the time to have bilingual business cards printed. It must be made clear to the printer that complex characters are used in Taiwan. In addition, businesses in Taiwan greatly appreciate foreign business literature translated into Chinese. Making this effort paves the way for a successful initial contact and creates the proper atmosphere for the important first meeting.

The first meeting might take place over a meal at the invitation of the Chinese. This generosity is essential to Chinese business contacts. Sharing a dinner can be important in building friendships that will foster the needed trust for doing business in Taiwan. A final hint about your first banquet is to show appreciation for the food. The Chinese take great pride in their cuisine. Also, plan to reciprocate. Chinese are both gracious hosts and guests.

Effectively Using Your Kuan-Hsi

As your business dealings develop in Taiwan, kuan-hsi becomes ever more important. Businesses in Taiwan understand commercial relationships as a cooperative effort, rather than a series of black and white contracts. U.S. companies must realize that flexibility is the sign of a healthy business relationship and is mandatory to succeed in Taiwan. The reason that flexibility is so important is the type of firms most Americans deal with in Taiwan. Businesses in Taiwan are generally small- to medium-sized operations managed by an extended family. These businesses survive by exploiting niches in the market; therefore, they need to be able to adapt rapidly to the ever changing market situation. Successful American companies must adjust their products, procedures, and services to the current market situation.

The best way to strengthen and utilize your kuan-hsi is by an on-island presence. If your company is looking for a long-term commercial relationship in Taiwan, consider opening an office on the island. If that is not feasible, develop a strong working relationship with your agent. Also, senior company officials should visit Taiwan often and invite their counterparts to the United States. This expense is a good investment. Actions such as these show commitment, sincerity, and respect for your Chinese counterpart.

Although kuan-hsi can open many doors in Taiwan, it is not a substitute for quality, price, and service. Businesses in Taiwan are astute buyers and are increasingly aware of what is available on the world market. American firms must realistically price their products and services. They should realize that their prices need to be competitive with those from Japan and Europe.

American companies also need to make an effort in their after-sales service. If the firm can afford it, have service people on the island to answer clients’ needs. At the very least, be prompt in answering telex, fax, and written correspondence. There is a Taiwan joke which American businesses need to overcome to make their after-sales service more attractive to Taiwan businesses: “When something goes wrong, the Japanese send engineers. The Americans send faxes.” Paying close attention to pricing and service establishes a good reputation and builds strong kuan-hsi in Taiwan.

    Living standards have also improved considerably, as income levels have steadily increased since the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China convened in 2002, according to the NBS.

    The economy expanded by more than 10 percent in each of the last four years, at an average of 10.4 percent. That is more than double the average growth rate of the world economy during the same period, and is higher than any period in China since reform and opening-up in the late 1970s.

    The economy remained stable as it steamed ahead. In the last four years, the growth rate never fluctuated by more than 1.1 percentage points. Meanwhile, consumer prices have also remained stable at about 2.1 percent per year.

    China’s overall economic volume was the world’s fourth largest in 2005. It was the sixth largest in 2002. The gap between China and the U.S., Japan and Germany – the top three world economies – has also narrowed in terms of gross domestic product (GDP).

    As its economy has grown, China now contributes more than 5.5 percent of the world’s GDP, up from 4.4 percent in 2002.

    China’s booming economy also saw its per capita income cross the threshold of 2,000 U.S. dollars for the first time in 2006. According to World Bank standards, China should no longer be considered a low-income nation, as its per capita income now resembles that of a middle-income country.

    While enjoying such rapid and stable economic growth, China has restructured its economy to increase the weight of its service sector in poorer western regions, the NBS said.

    By 2006, the service industry accounted for 40.1 percent of the economy, as retail sales increased by an average of 12.2 percent each year in the four years.

    Rural development

    China has found it easier to develop its rural regions due to the growth of fixed-assets investment. These investments often reflect the potential for development in a region, and have increased faster in the middle, western and northeast regions. In 2006, for example, fixed-assets investment in the middle provinces accounted for 19.3 percent of the national total, 1.6 percentage points higher than in 2002.

    This indicates that those regions that are lagging behind economically are gaining greater potential for future development.

    Overall national fixed-assets investment reached 32.5 trillion yuan (4.32 trillion dollars) between 2003 and 2006, more than during the period between 1981 and 2002. Fixed-assets investment grew at an average rate of 26.6 percent over the last four years, 6.2 percentage points higher than the period between 1981 and 2002.

    China has also seen its urban population grow steadily in the past four years as its rural population has decreased, which helps balance national development, the NBS said.

    The bureau predicted that as the State puts in more resources to build a new countryside and further increases its subsidies to farmers, the income of farmers will continue to grow, which will further promote the balanced development of urban and rural areas.

    In 2006, rural residents saw their incomes grow by 7.4 percent to an average of 3,587 yuan. Their income increased by more than 6 percent for three consecutive years, which was rare in the past, the NBS said.

    The average income of urban residents was 11,759 yuan in 2006, up 10.4 percent from 2005. It was the fourth consecutive year that urban income increased by more than 7 percent.

Booming coffers

    Chinese enterprises have registered impressive profit records, bolstering the national economic growth.

    Corporate profits as a whole grew at an average of more than 20 percent each year in the past four years.

    Meanwhile, the national coffers have reaped more revenue. They reached 3.87 trillion yuan in 2006, which is more than double the total in 2002. It represents an average annual growth of 19.6 percent.

    Increased fiscal revenue has also made it possible to make more payment transfers to the economically backward regions, the NBS said.

    The national drive to conserve energy and reduce emissions has also progressed over the past four years. While the energy consumption per unit of GDP increased for three consecutive years by 2005, the index finally decreased in 2006. This has been a hard-won result, the NBS said.

    The growth of major polluting emissions, meanwhile, has been slowing, the NBS said, indicating strengthened policy enforcement.

    China has also built up its infrastructure and has enhanced its industrial equipment to back up the development of core industries, such as energy production, the NBS said.

    In 2006, the NBS said, China produced energy in amounts equivalent to 2.2 billion tons of coal, up by 53.7 percent from 2002.

    China also saw rapid progress in trade. Its trade volume reached 1.76 trillion dollars in 2006, the third largest in the world. In 2002, it was the sixth largest.

    China’s income from international tourism has also grown rapidly, the NBS said.

    In 2006, there were 35.6 percent more tourists in China than in 2002. The country recorded 33.9 billion dollars in revenue from international tourism, 66.5 percent more than in 2002.

The top 100 restaurants in China earned 52.8 billion yuan (6.38billion US dollars) in 2003, a year-on-year rise of 31.3 percent, and contributed to around 8.7 percent of the industry’s total operating revenue, the CCA source said.
Foreign restaurant companies have increased turnover in China, the CCA source said.
Yum! Brands Inc., running KFC and Pizzahut, released an operating revenue of 9.3 billion yuan (1.12 billion US dollars) in China last year, up 31 percent over 2002, the CCA said. It added 233 chain restaurants to its 1,130 in China last year, among which some 1,000 were KFC outlets.
Its major rival MacDonald’s totaled about 600 chain restaurants by the end of last year.
Both Yum! Brands Inc. and MacDonald’s are expanding business from big cities to medium and small cities in China, the CCA source said.

Restaurants gained an revenue of 600 billion yuan (72.55 billion US dollars) last year in China, up 11.6 percent over 2002, despite a slump last spring caused by SARS outbreak, according to the CCA.

Their revenue accounted for 13.2 percent of total Chinese consumer spending last year, the CCA said.

Hotpot restaurants were the hottest business in China last year.

Of the top 100 restaurants, 17 were hotpot restaurants with a total operating revenue of 13.58 billion yuan (1.64 billion US dollars), the CCA said.

There are many reasons why Thailand is an intelligent choice for the investor. According to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), a 2006 survey conducted showed that Thailand was the “most optimal location for establishing a production/sales base in the coming 5-10 years.” Here are some reasons why:

* Thailand has quality international schools, an excellent health care system and friendly cooperative people.
* Thailand boasts the largest growth market in Asia.
* Thailand has recently attracted a great deal of foreign investment. It is one of the Asian economic leaders and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the area.
* Thailand is one of the least expensive places to fly to in Asia.
* The country has strong business ties with China and has an excellent infrastructure as well as world-class facilities in many resort towns.
* Property is far cheaper in Thailand than other countries and an increase in overseas interest in property purchase has helped to create an economic recovery in ThailandA 2006 survey conducted by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) showed that Thailand was the “most optimal location for establishing a production/sales base in the coming 5-10 years.”

There are many reasons why Thailand is an intelligent choice for the investor. Below are just a few.

* Thailand has quality international schools, an excellent health care system and friendly cooperative people.
* Thailand boasts the largest growth market in Asia.
* Thailand has recently attracted a great deal of foreign investment. It is one of the Asian economic leaders and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the area.
* Thailand is one of the least expensive places to fly to in Asia.
* The country has strong business ties with China and has an excellent infrastructure as well as world-class facilities in many resort towns.
* Property is far cheaper in Thailand than other countries and an increase in overseas interest in property purchase has helped to create an economic recovery in Thailand.
* Rental potential is great, due to increased government spending luring growing numbers of tourists.
* No capital gains tax for private investors, and low ongoing taxes.
* Today foreigners are regarded by the government as a big investment opportunity in Thailand.

“On Dec. 26, 2004, giant waves triggered by one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded pulverised villages along

“It has been reported time and again that many people in the country have been enjoying high posts submitting fake educational certificates. According to some sporadic reports flashed on media, there are fairly a large number of people who have occupied high-ranking posts in the government services using fake educational certificates. It is believed that there could be people in every government sector with fake certificates, mostly bought from India. In such a situation to take any action against those people who are now in the influential positions, will be an uphill task. It is suspected that even there could be some employees within the CDC who might possess fake Indian certificates. These people will never support any probe formed to look into fake educational certificates. This was the reason why a free and fair investigation failed to make a steady headway in the past. Under this circumstance, we have plenty of reasons for doubting about the work undertaken by the CDC.

Now the question that every Nepali wants to ask the CDC whether its staff would perform their task by alacrity and determination. However, we have yet to see that how the new government will react against those culprits who have been enjoying the perks, which they do not deserve for that. Much sensation was created when one of the then secretaries of Public Service Commission (PSC) revealed that about 35,000 persons in the government service hold fake certificates. This statement of the secretary instilled a sense of fear in the mind of many employees who held fake certificates. Later when a high-level probe committee was formed to look into employees with fake certificates, defaulters sensed an axe hanging over their neck that could land at any moment. Before an action was taken against them, many employees decided to quit their jobs voluntarily.”

I believe this is a serious problem because education is one of five basic needs of human beings. Without good education, a country can never be developed. A person who undergoes hardship to acquire education deserves respect. If another person with no educational qualifications gets better job than the educated person then what is the meaning of acquiring education. If Nepal’s government allows this to continue then many people in Nepal would become disheartened. Necessary steps must be taken to find the guilty and punish them.