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Taiwan’s three science parks reported revenues of NT$1.37 trillion (US$46.35 billion) for the first half of 2020, up 12.24 percent year on year and setting a record high for the opening two quarters, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
 
MOST statistics released Aug. 24 reveal exports from the parks grew 10.08 percent compared with last year to NT$1.04 trillion, while total employment also rose 2.8 percent to 285,027.
 
The revenue of Hsinchu Science Park in northern Taiwan grew 10.26 percent to NT$566.09 billion; Central Taiwan Science Park in Taichung City 17.02 percent to NT$433.06 billion; and Southern Taiwan Science Park in the cities of Tainan and Kaohsiung 9.99 percent to NT$368.95 billion.
 
According to the MOST, integrated circuits remained the top revenue generator at the parks, rising 18.65 percent thanks to demand for high-end semiconductors for use in 5G, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing applications. Sales of computers and peripherals saw even more impressive growth, soaring 79.01 percent on the back of strong performances by router and wireless module suppliers.
 
The biotechnology sector also improved, with revenue growth of 18.4 percent as orders of medical supplies and test kits increased amid the coronavirus pandemic.
 
Demand was lower for telecommunication products, optoelectronics and precision machinery, which saw revenues drop 1.06 percent, 10.93 percent and 17.15 percent, respectively. The MOST attributed the weaker showings to drops in consumption caused by lockdowns in major economies around the world, as well as ongoing trade friction between China and the U.S.
 
Despite these challenges, the ministry said it remains optimistic about the outlook for Taiwan’s science parks in the second half of the year. Emerging opportunities in areas spanning 5G, AI, automobile electronics, biometrics, high-performance computing and IoT are expected to provide significant growth potential moving forward, it added. (SFC-E)
 
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