00:00Taiwan is not raising prices at the pump this week.
00:03Despite soaring global energy prices from the war in Iran,
00:07state-owned energy supplier CPC is still absorbing the increased costs.
00:12Government-prized stabilization efforts have already cost about $300 million.
00:33On the industrial side, disrupted petrochemical supplies have driven plastic bad prices up about 30 percent
00:39and raised concerns of shortages.
00:42The government has rolled out a low-cost ethylene program to ensure steady supply,
00:46and they're also urging people not to stockpile goods.
01:01Taiwan's semiconductor sector is also facing rising material costs and supply pressure.
01:06Liu Pei-Tzen, from one of the country's top economic think tanks,
01:09told Taiwan Plus that prices for materials used in chipmaking, like helium, have jumped over 50 percent.
01:16This is pushing local chipmakers to secure supplies at any cost,
01:20squeezing margins and increasing uncertainty.
01:22Other analysts are also warning about possible ripple effects on global markets.
01:52Taiwan's government says it has secured oil reserves for over four months,
01:55and natural gas reserves for around 11 days, although at higher costs.
02:00With increased fuel prices creating inflationary pressure,
02:04Taiwan's central bank has signaled a possible rate hike later this year if the war drags on.
02:09Patrick Chen, NIT for Taiwan Plus.
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