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Science and Technology
In terms of production value, Taiwan in 2010 ranked No. 1 in the world for custom IC fabrication and No. 2 for IC design. (Courtesy of GA Photos Group)Modern Taiwan made its first significant impact on the world as a global player in the information technology (IT) industry. Its impressive development of high-tech enterprises is attributable to the government’s encouraging support for applied scientific development.
Over the years, the government has provided generous investment incentives and assistance, including seed funds to establish over 100 business incubation centers, mostly run by universities. With government support, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), the National Applied Research Laboratories and the Institute for Information Industry all played an important role in jump-starting the nation’s rise as a technological powerhouse by conducting research, supporting the establishment of science parks, aiding the private sector with R&D and exploring new technologies.
ITRI has been instrumental in establishing several companies that have gone on to command prominent positions in the global marketplace, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and United Microelectronics Corporation, the world’s two top custom IC chipmakers. In 2011, ITRI was honored for the fourth consecutive time with the prestigious R&D 100 Awards, presented for the top 100 innovations of the year by the U.S.-based R&D Magazine. The latest winning innovations consisted of an “i2R e-Paper” electronic rewritable paper that does not consume electricity, as well as a “HyTAC” polarizer protective film used in liquid crystal displays.
The Biotechnology Takeoff Package was launched in 2009 to increase biotech business opportunities, particularly in the areas of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. (Huang Chung-hsin)Taiwan’s science parks are home to companies pursuing breakthroughs in fields such as information and communications technology (ICT), biotechnology, precision machinery and nanotechnology. Their exceptional performance is indicative of the nation’s research prowess. Taiwan ranked fifth in the world in 2010 for the number of U.S. patents granted to its nationals—9,202 total—after the United States, Japan, Germany and South Korea.
The biotech industry in particular is expected to make dramatic strides in coming years, thanks in part to the establishment of over a dozen biotechnology parks around Taiwan. Related R&D has targeted environmental biotechnology, herbal medicines, pharmaceuticals and vaccines, among others. In 2009, the government launched the Biotechnology Takeoff Package to increase business opportunities in this industry, specifically in the areas of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. This program will invest US$1.2 billion from 2009 to 2013.
Industry-academia-government cooperation has also played a significant role in ICT development aimed at promoting high value-added sectors and transforming traditional industries. Research teams have been working on developing cutting-edge technologies from cloud computing to WiMAX for next-generation telecommunications applications. These efforts underpin Taiwan’s commitment to scientific enhancement for social well-being and sustainable development.
Production Value & Global Share of Taiwan-made IT Products & Services (2010)
No. 1 Worldwide
Category Production Value (US$ million) Global Share (%) Mask ROM 279 97.9 IC testing 3,947 71.2 Custom IC fabrication 17,612 65.6 Optical discs 1,031 53.8 IC packaging 8,516 46.5 Electro-deposited copper foil 851 36.7 No. 2 Worldwide
Personal navigation devices 1,887 38.0 Large-sized TFT-LCD panels 25,976 32.2 Fiberglass cloth 295 30.1 OLED panels 249 26.1 IC substrates 1,803 23.2 IC design 12,955 21.7 Small & medium-sized TFT-LCD panels 3,933 19.4 TN/STN-LCD panels 398 16.6 Source: Industrial and Technology Intelligence Services Project, Ministry of Economic Affairs
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