In order to promote Asia New Bay Area as a base for Taiwan to develop its 5G AIoT industry as well as to promote the upgrading and transformation of local industries in connecting with the international community, an investment of $10.6 billion is expected to be made to promote the “Asia New Bay Area 5G AIoT Innovation Park Promotion Program” from 2021 to 2025. The Department of Industrial Technology, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has assigned the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC) and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to jointly organize a service team so as to integrate service platforms in achieving the important task of attracting investment.
The 5G AIoT project office held their first online briefing for manufacturers in the Asia New Bay Area on July 6, 2020. In accordance with the pandemic prevention efforts of COVID-19, the briefing was conducted online, focusing on relevant subsidy programs and preferential entry measures, attracting over 300 participants to attend the briefing online, with the presence of Minister of Economic Affairs Mei-Hua Wang and Mayor of Kaohsiung City Chih-Mai Chen, who gave support and affirmation on policies.
The Minister Wang stated, “At present, the inter-ministerial task force of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and other ministries have been officially activated and are proactively implementing various facilities in the park. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has assisted in building the industrial communities in the Asia New Bay Area Innovation Park, nurturing new generation technology talents in the region, and establishing the platform and operation mechanisms for promoting innovation and technology, such as the opening of the Asia New Bay Area Innovation Park in October, as well as the announcement of the second phase of the Kaohsiung Software Technology Park development project, which will provide high-quality working environment for the park’s manufacturers. The Asia New Bay Area Innovation Park is also ready to bring in international accelerators to link with local start-ups, focusing on 5G AIoT local implementation and application development. In addition, the National Communications Commission and the National Development Council have already established 5G network infrastructure in the Park, while the Taiwan International Ports Corporation Ltd. of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has also introduced a smart system for the port area in Kaohsiung, with the Kaohsiung City Government offering preferential incentives to attract companies to move into the Park”.
Mayor Chen commented, “Currently, 32 manufacturers and state-owned enterprises have announced their relocation to the park, which will definitely bring new business opportunities in Asia New Bay Area, create local employment, and attract talents in the future, and for new entrepreneurs investing in 5G AIoT in Kaohsiung Asia New Bay Area, the Kaohsiung City Government will provide zero interest rate subsidies as long as the investment in equipment exceeds NT$400 million; the rent is subject to the “006688” program, and a five-year housing tax reduction of NT$2 million is provided, as well as employee salary subsidies of up to 200 persons and 25%. We hope to attract more young people and international talents to pursue their dreams in Kaohsiung, converging the next generation of industries here in the city.”
The project office will play the role of inter-ministerial communication and service integration platform for industries locating in Kaohsiung so as to assist in the smooth implementation of the overall promotion program. With the support of the MIRDC and ITRI, it is expected that through united efforts of inter-legal entities, a comprehensive impact can be achieved to promote investment and improve the overall effectiveness of the program.