TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A new venue featuring Taiwan’s largest international conference space combined with an exhibition center was opened by the Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Cheng-chi (陳正祺) in Taoyuan on Tuesday (Oct. 29).

Chen said that the development, named Messe Taoyuan, is expected to become a landmark in the city, per CNA. The economic ministry invested NT$4.6 billion (US$140 million) in constructing the venue to promote foreign trade and Taiwan’s economic development, he said.

Chen said the convention and exhibition industries are important as they bring high-end business customers to Taiwan. He said President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) also considers these industries important.

According to the venue’s manager Interplan Group, Messe Taoyuan’s conference space is the largest in Taiwan. The venue’s conference hall has seating for 3,200, with 20 other conference rooms and a banquet hall, it said.

The venue is 80,000 square meters, providing space for 600 exhibition booths and up to 8,800 people, Interplan Group said. The development also houses a shopping mall, according to its website.

Interplan Group Chairperson Tu Chien-kuo (涂建國) said the Taoyuan Convention and Exhibition Center is strategically located between Taipei Port and Taoyuan International Airport. He said he expects more than 2 million people to visit the venue annually, creating 6,000 jobs for the surrounding areas.