Foodpanda to open global R&D hub in Taiwan

Taipei, Jan. 10 (CNA) Germany-based food delivery service provider foodpanda GmbH said Monday that it is planning to establish a global research and development center in Taiwan to roll out the company's innovative applications.

To pursue the R&D center program, foodpanda said it will hire an additional 100 employees including software, cloud technology engineers, App developers and senior managers in Taiwan, targeting tech professionals with cross-border working experience, the German company said in a statement.

Foodpanda added that as the global digital economy has been growing at a fast pace, the company needs talent to take advantage of the growth by providing competitive compensation.

According to foodpanda, the company will continue to take advantage of technology to boost the efficiency of the food delivery industry supply chain and cut waste, thereby increasing the industry's sustainability.

The new investment aims to expand company operations in Taiwan, foodpanda said. The project came after the largest food delivery services provider in the country announced the opening of an Asian Pacific digital technology support center in Taiwan in the second half of last year by investing NT$600 million (US$21.66 million).

The R&D team in Taiwan will work closely with its counterparts in Germany and Singapore, foodpanda said, adding that Taiwan's R&D center will provide products to more than 20 countries across Asia and Europe for use in the future.

Fang Chun-chiang (方俊強), president of foodpanda Taiwan, said since the opening of the Asia Pacific digital technology support center in Taiwan last year, the company's operations in the region have expanded, while several new Apps are in the pipeline.

Fang said the decision to establish a global R&D center in Taiwan recognizes the country's technological strength and talent pool.

Taiwan is expected to become the a focal point for foodpanda's R&D efforts as the company seeks to provide customers with better services, Fang added.