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Emile Chang, Executive Secretary at Taiwan's Investment
Commission, said a final decision will be made by Aug. 11. The
commission oversees Taiwan's inbound and outbound foreign
investments.
The move comes amid a major strategic shift at Uber that will
see its operations in China taken over by a mainland firm.
Earlier this week, Uber said it was selling its China business
to rival Didi Chuxing after a bruising two-year price war in a
challenging market.
Taiwan's decision adds to a string of official complaints aimed
at the fast-growing U.S. start-up. It has faced similar legal
scrutiny in markets across Asia, including both in Hong Kong and
China.
"Taiwan's government has communicated many times with Uber...The
worst scenario is to order (it) to leave the market," Chang
said, adding Uber can appeal the decision to Taiwan's cabinet.
Likai Gu, general manager of Uber Taiwan, said the company hopes
Taiwan authorities will "rule in favor of innovation" and "open
a meaningful dialogue with Uber".
"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," Gu
said.
The company entered the Taiwan market in 2013, triggering anger
from domestic taxi drivers, who staged a massive protest against
Uber as recently as July.
(Reporting by Faith Hung in TAIPEI and Yimou Lee in HONG KONG;
Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
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