TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s three major science parks generated a record NT$2.74 trillion (US$84.2 billion) in the first half of the year, up 26.74% from last year on strong artificial intelligence demand and robust semiconductor orders.
Southern Taiwan Science Park accounted for the largest share with roughly NT$1.38 trillion, surging nearly 49% and outpacing Hsinchu (NT$823 billion, +11.5%) and Central (NT$534 billion, +8.1%), per CNA. Officials said the figures underscore the strength of Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem and its appeal to global investors.
By sector, integrated circuits led with growth of about 34.3% on enterprise AI and device applications. Precision machinery rose roughly 32.9% on automation demand and global chip capital spending.
Biotech expanded about 12.4%, while optoelectronics gained around 7.3% on AI-related products and front-loaded panel orders ahead of US tariffs, per UDN. In contrast, computers and peripherals fell about 28.6%, and communications slid roughly 19.8% as some production shifted abroad.
Park administrators also pointed to new investment and expansion: Hsinchu approved 16 firms with planned outlays worth around NT$5.6 billion, while Southern promoted a semiconductor “S-corridor” linking sites in Chiayi, Kaohsiung, and Tainan, per Liberty Times. Central highlighted biotech’s strong gains, though integrated circuits still dominated its revenue base.
Looking ahead, the National Science and Technology Council cautioned that exchange rates, tariff changes such as Section 232, and a possible AI-cycle correction could weigh on second-half exports. Still, the first-half results reinforced the parks’ role as a growth engine for Taiwan’s economy.
