KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN-- August 23, 2022 -- With the advent of the digital age, the development and application of technologies such as 5G and AIoT will be at play in the global economy and become a battleground for countries with the highest technological expertise such as the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and others. Not only does smart manufacturing opens a whole new world for enterprises, but it will also change the lives of people in the foreseeable future. In the next round of reshuffling within industries, how businesses prepare for a 5G-powered future will be the focus.

Keeping abreast of the development in communications technology as well as the need to upgrade local industries, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai has been proactively promoting the implementation and development of the 5G AIoT industry in Kaohsiung since taking office in August 2020, using 5G and AIoT application services to propel transformation and create added value for Kaohsiung Asia’s New Bay Area; while establishing the foundation for a domestic 5G AIoT innovation industry startup environment and supply chain, as well as forming startup clusters synchronously and strengthening horizontal business linkages between startups in Kaohsiung. This is to spur the development of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, accelerate startup growth, and gather talents and technologies. These efforts will make the Asia New Bay Area a pioneer of new generation technology applications and a driver for the 5G digital transformation of industries in Kaohsiung.

In 2021, the Central Government announced its plans to invest NT$11 billion in 5 years for infrastructure development of the Asia New Bay Area 5G AIoT Innovation Park, set up startup terraces, and offer R&D incentives to build a comprehensive service system for startups. The scope of the investment plan includes the Kaohsiung Music Center, Kaohsiung Public Library, Kaohsiung Software Park Information Service, Kaohsiung Exhibition Center, Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal, and others. In response, Microsoft and 13 other local and international large-scale companies in the field of 5G AIoT vertical application have settled in the Asia New Bay Area. In addition, Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. will preliminarily invest NT$300 million in building ICT infrastructure at the Innovative Park and 5G vertical application testing fields in seven areas. The City Government also introduced the “006688” incentive, which offers various subsidies ranging from financing interest, house tax, and wage subsidy for new employees, among others, to help the companies gain a firm foothold.

The Asia New Bay Area 5G AIoT Innovation Park will move towards diversified development, such as pursuing opportunities for industry development, building a talent cultivating center, offering R&D subsidies, and planning for field application. This is to attract entrepreneurs to put R&D roots down in Kaohsiung and utilize the Asia New Bay Area as a test site. As more large manufacturers establish plants in Kaohsiung, it will form a complete industrial chain and comprehensive solutions and technologies will be exported internationally. (Kaohsiung City Government Advertisement)