Uber Faces Ejection From Taiwan

The establishment crony taxi elitists seem to be winning in parts of Asia.

Uber faces ejection from Taiwan, after a local regulator accused the car-hailing app of misusing its business licence, reports FT.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs Investment Commission — which oversees the country’s foreign investments — said it was poised to revoke Uber’s permit to operate in the country, saying the company was using its local licence “for a purpose other than the business for which it was issued”.

The commission said Uber had applied for a licence to operate as an “information service” provider in Taiwan, but instead had been running a passenger car service — a business that is not open to foreign enterprises, according to FT.

“Uber is committed to Taiwan and to the tens of thousands of Taiwanese riders and drivers who rely on Uber every day,” said Uber Taiwan in a statement.

“We want to work with the Taiwanese government to help them understand the role of technology in creating economic opportunity and meeting the transportation needs of Taiwan.”

The commission said that a final decision would be made by August 11.

Uber has also experienced problems in China.

Uber and Didi Chuxing, China’s local app car service operator, on Monday announced an agreement to merge Uber’s China operations into Didi, giving Uber's investors only a 20 per cent stake in the Chinese company.

-RW