Kaohsiung software park set to become regional hub

2014-08-28

Kaohsiung Software Technology Park is quickly shaping up as a major regional hub with increasing investments from home and abroad, the Export Processing Zone Administration under the Ministry of Economic Affairs said Aug. 26.

A total of 250 investments worth NT$17.37 billion (US$580 million) have been made at the EPZA-run park as of July 2014, creating more than 3,500 jobs.

“The presence of industry heavyweights such as Foxconn Technology Group has significantly boosted the park’s cluster effect, helping create an entire industry value chain featuring upstream and downstream integration,” the administration said.

Key to attracting top firms was the establishment of a dedicated investment coordination platform, the EPZA said. “The streamlined operation has attracted industry leaders in cloud computing, computer graphics, e-commerce, entertainment and software.”

Located next to Kaohsiung Harbor, the 587-hectare business park is also close to Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, and conveniently serviced by Kaohsiung International Airport and the country’s first light rail system.

Other flagship firms operating in the zone include Brogent Technologies Inc., CGCG Inc., Ching Fu Shipbuilding, KKBox Inc. and Newegg Taiwan Inc.

Newegg is typical of the enterprises lured by the thriving business ecosystem. The U.S.-headquartered online retailer chose the park for its Taiwan base to tap horizontal integration opportunities rarely seen elsewhere. The company expects to expand from 60 to 250 staff in the near future, the EPZA said.

Leveraging its rich experience in business incubation, the administration is looking to further advancing the park’s development by introducing external resources, talent training programs and targeted assistance.

“With innovative marketing, service and technology as its core values, the park will continue to spearhead the information technology-based development of emerging industries in Taiwan,” the EPZA added.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=221087&CtNode=413)