Heavyweight IT multinationals to open R&D centers in Taiwan

Taipei, Dec. 31, 2003 (CENS)--Heavyweight information-technology multinationals including Motorola, Alcatel and Honeywell will announce plans to open technique research and development centers in Taiwan next month, according to Premier Yu Shyi-kun.

Premier Yu recently disclosed the information at an Executive Yuan's year-end press conference. He said following 15 such plans announced by 13 other multinationals, including IBM, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard (HP), Motorola and some other world leading IT companies will announce their R&D investment plans in Taiwan next month.

These plans have been announced shortly after the government-organized Taiwan Business Alliance Conference, an international investment soliciting meeting held in late October.

Senior government officials familiar with the incoming investment plans pointed out that the Ministry of Economic Affairs already approved the Motorola's investment plan last week and the mobile-phone giant would announce the plan next month.

The officials said the Motorola R&D facility will focus its work on innovative handset techniques. Its rivals, including Nokia and NEC, have begun doing R&D work in Taiwan. They noted that Motorola has kept a low profile about the investment plan lest its huge investments in mainland China should be vexed by the mainland authorities.