By Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporterStandard Chartered Bank Taiwan Ltd (渣打台灣銀行) yesterday trimmed its forecast for the nation’s GDP growth this year to 1.9 percent, from 2.2 percent it predicted in December last year, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Due to a deep connection with China, Taiwan was once predicted to suffer badly amid the trade dispute, but it turned out to be a major beneficiary,” Phoo said. However, if the outbreak lasts longer, its effects would be more serious, he said. “There is no substitute for consumer demand in China and the semi-finished goods made there. If they continue to be weak due to the virus crisis, we would all be affected negatively,” Phoo said.

Source: Taipei Times March 03, 2020 15:56 UTC