TAIPEI: Taiwan’s three science parks reported record revenues of NT$2.32 trillion (US$73.65 billion) in 2014, up 6.28 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology here the other day.
Hsinchu Science Park in northern Taiwan led the way at NT$1.16 trillion, a rise of 4.57 percent; Southern Taiwan Science Park in Tainan City came second with NT$639.4 billion, up 3.95 percent; and Taichung City-based Central Taiwan Science Park finished third at NT$522.1 billion, an increase of 13.52 percent.
Among the leading revenue generators for the facilities, semiconductors, optoelectronics and precision machinery accounted for 60.65 percent, 31.04 percent and 3.12 percent of the total, respectively.
In terms of growth performance, information communications technology products topped the list at 18.45 percent, semiconductors came second with 13.99 percent and precision machinery finished third for the first time at 7.48 percent.
The strong earnings performance of the facilities was supported by a record 2.04 percent rise in exports to NT$1.37 trillion. Mainland China, including Hong Kong, was the leading destination for shipments, accounting for 43.92 percent.
A total of 83 new firms from home and abroad set up shop in the parks during the year, attracting new investment of NT$64.29 billion. This was on top of an additional NT$33.48 billion spent by 48 existing firms.
As a result of increased business activity and a series of job promotion initiatives, the facilities reported an all-time high workforce of 263,649, up 9,693 from the year before.
With the global economy set for steady growth this year, the MOST expects the parks to maintain their growth momentum on the back of continuous demand for smart handheld devices, an expanding semiconductor sector and a steady stream of business opportunities arising from big data and Internet of Things.
