DHAKA: Car-booking app Uber could be banned in Taiwan, after state officials claimed the company did not operate lawfully within the country.

On Wednesday, treasury authorities said Uber’s license could be revoked because it was registered as a software company, not as a taxi service.

But hours later, the Executive Yuan government said it wanted to discuss options with Uber.

The California-based company said it would welcome the discussion.

“We thank the Executive Yuan for demonstrating leadership and willingness to open a meaningful dialogue,” the company told the BBC.

Uber, which connects drivers to passengers through their smartphones, was initially told it had to wait until 11 August to discover whether the service would be banned.

But later on Wednesday the government announced it would hold a meeting next week to discuss possible amendments of existing laws to keep Uber in the country.

“Uber is not legal under our existing laws and regulations,” said Tong Zhenyuan, a spokesman of the Executive Yuan, as quoted by local press agency CNA.

“The government will take a comprehensive review and come up with a relevant policy and establish a system of fair competition,” he said.

BDST: 1310 HRS, AUG 04, 2016
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** Uber sells its Chinese business to Didi