Taipei stages 1st ICOM NATHIST conferenceIoT pact concluded by MOEA, Microsoft

2015/10/23

A memorandum of understanding on establishing the first Internet of Things development center worldwide by Microsoft Corp. was inked Oct. 21 in Taipei City between the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the U.S.-based tech giant.

Under the agreement, the center will focus on developing integrated, intelligent and international networking devices and solutions for sectors spanning living, manufacturing, medical care, public services and smart retailing.

More than 30 local academic and research institutions, embedded device producers, independent software developers, innovative startups, integration service providers, original equipment designers and manufacturers are set to take part in the initiative.

ROC Premier Mao Chi-kuo said at the signing ceremony that he expects the facility to assist in ensuring Taiwan remains a leader in the potential-laden IoT industry and transform from a hardware producer into a value-added service provider.

“The IoT is a critical link in the government policy promoting Productivity 4.0,” Mao said. “By leveraging local information communications technology firms’ R&D capabilities and Microsoft’s powerful global network, the center will fast-track private sector efforts in developing cutting-edge products, services and technology.”

In response, MS Vice President Mike Neil said the company is a long-standing partner of Taiwan and has built its PC and server industries with local firms. “We look to building the IoT industry with the same partners here in Taiwan.”

Echoing Neil’s remarks, American Institute in Taiwan Director Kin Moy said the memorandum is further testament to long-standing technological collaboration between Taiwan and the U.S., adding that the resources and opportunities created by the partnership will strengthen the bilateral business ties going forward.

According to an MOEA official, market intelligence firm International Data Corp. forecasts the output of the global IoT sector to top US$1.7 trillion in 2020, or roughly triple Taiwan’s foreign trade in 2014.

“By connecting Taiwan’s industry ecosystem with their global counterparts, the center is expected to build the nation into a regional hub for IoT development and help create US$200 billion in related services by 2018,” the official said.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=238117&ctNode=2194&mp=9)