New Southbound Policy Portal

The manufacturing and R&D facility established by U.S.-headquartered Applied Materials Inc. in Tainan City, southern Taiwan, is a vote of confidence in the country’s continuously improving business environment, according to Vice President Chen Chien-jen June 5.

Since setting up shop in Taiwan 30 years ago, Applied Materials has been a major partner of the local high-tech sector, Chen said. As a provider of quality jobs, it is helping transform the country into a front-runner in the global semiconductor and display industries, he added.
 
According to Chen, the newly inaugurated NT$3 billion (US$95.57 million) facility, along with the presence of Applied Materials Chairman Thomas Iannotti and President and CEO Gary Dickerson, underscores the commitment of the firm to deepening ties with local partners.

Since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May 2016, Chen said, the government has left no stone unturned in strengthening Taiwan’s economic fundamentals through fast-tracked infrastructure development, intellectual property rights protection and talent cultivation.

As international businesses seek to adjust global strategies in the wake of trade friction between the U.S. and China, such government measures have attracted investment of NT$310 billion by 61 companies this year and created more than 30,000 job opportunities, Chen said.
 
These sentiments were echoed by American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen, who said the expanded presence of Applied Materials is yet another sign that major U.S. technology outfits view Taiwan as a critical link in the global supply chain.
 
Occupying 5.1 hectares in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, the facility is dedicated to developing equipment for the production of large-sized liquid crystal displays, organic light-emitting diodes and other flexible devices, according to Applied Materials. (SFC-E)
 
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