STSP scores revenue of NT$150 B. for 2003, eyes NT$250 B. for 2004

Taipei, Dec. 31, 2003 (CENS)--Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) is estimated to rake in revenue of NT$150 billion (US$4.4 billion at US$1 = NT$34) in 2003, and the figure is expected to expand to NT$250 billion (US$7.35 billion) in 2004 if some 30 more manufacturers can move into the park next year as expected.

In the first 11 months of this year, the STSP administration approved a total of 30 companies to set up their footholds in the park. The paid-in capital of the newcomers totaled NT$60.5 billion (US$1.78 billion), which boosting total investment value in the park to NT$32 billion (US$941.2 million).

Of the 30 new firms in the park, 13 are involved in precision machinery, eight in biotechnology, five in optoelectronics, three in communications, and one in computer peripherals. As of the end of November 2003, STSP has housed a total of 123 companies in the park, and 56 of which have already started mass production and 19 still building their plants.

In the first 10 months of the year, the park's revenue posted at NT$121.6 billion (US$3.58 billion), enjoying a sizable growth of 42% from the same period of 2002. It is estimated that the revenue for the full year should be over NT$130 billion (US$3.8 billion), and is very likely to break the NT$150 billion (US$4.4 billion) mark.

Insiders attributed the park's lustrous performance this year largely to the rapid growth of the two electronics giants in the park--Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. (TSMC) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics Co. They forecast that Chi Mei's fifth-generation thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) plant would become a hen that lays "golden eggs" for the park in the coming year since its production has been expanding. And TSMC's 14th plant, focusing on the production of 12-inch wafers, will be another potential revenue contributor to the park in the future as the plant is expected to start trial run by the end of 2004.

As of the end of November, the occupation rate of the land available for leasing in the park's stage I and II development were 84% and 96%, respectively, much higher than 65% registered for the park stage I at the end of 2002. To enlarge the scope of the park, the STSP administration has been actively encouraging both domestic and overseas manufacturers to move their operations into the park. For 2004, the park intends to absorb 30 more firms to join the park, which will then help boost the total workforce in the park to 30,000 persons.