Taiwan Solar-Gear Makers Rise on Reported Meeting With Premier

By Tim Culpan

Aug. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Solar energy equipment makers Sino- American Silicon Products Inc. and Gintech Energy Corp. climbed to six-week highs in Taipei trading after a report that Taiwan's Premier will visit the chairmen of the two companies.

Sino-American added 2.8 percent to NT$150, its highest since June 26, and Gintech climbed 2.7 percent to NT$231 as of 9:34 a.m. in Taipei, compared with a 0.1 percent decline in the benchmark Taiex index.

Premier Liu Chao-shiuan will meet with solar energy producers Gintech and Sino-American tomorrow as part of efforts by the government to promote a renewable energy bill, the Economic Daily News reported, citing an unidentified cabinet official. The bill will set guidelines for pricing of power from alternative sources, the newspaper said.

Gintech, based in Taipei, is Taiwan's second-largest maker of solar cells, while Sino-American produces silicon wafers used in cell manufacturing.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tim Culpan in Taipei at tculpan1@bloomberg.net.