ROC Cabinet unveils industrial upgrade scheme

2015/06/03

An NT$45 billion (US$1.46 billion), nine-year development scheme aimed at facilitating Taiwan’s next-generation industrial sector upgrade is under consideration by the ROC Cabinet.

Tapping Taiwan’s resources in big data, Internet of Things and robotics, the policy will usher in a new era of smart automatic production across the major sectors of agriculture, consumer electronics, food, logistics, machine tools, metal processing and retail.

Minister without Portfolio Yan Hong-sen said the undertaking draws upon the concept of Industry 4.0, a global initiative revolutionizing productivity through smart connectivity via cloud services and radio-frequency identification. “We foresee the initiative driving local manufacturing per capita output in excess of NT$10 million by 2024.”

According to Yan, the scheme is to be finalized at a Cabinet-organized technology development strategy conference June 4-5 in Taipei City. “We will then draft an action plan promoting talent cultivation and cross-sector collaboration in preparation for advances in innovative applications of these cutting-edge technologies,” he said.

“All industries, including agriculture and services, can reap the benefits of full-range automation in production through greater access to big data and IoT.”

Council of Agriculture estimates indicate that by introducing productivity-enhancing measures in such areas as fresh produce exports, orchid cultivation and pelagic fisheries, Taiwan’s agricultural producers can boost output value by 15 percent while reducing product losses by 10 percent.

“We are excited by this potential-laden plan and are mulling ramped-up investment options across an array of manufacturing-related areas,” Yan said. “It is critical we seize the bull by the horns and make sure this process of transformation takes place nationwide.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=230995&ctNode=413)