Science Park reports record revenues

The Hsinchu Science Park (新竹科學園區) reported another record high of NT$1.12 trillion (US$33.9 billion) in total revenue last year, up 14 percent from the same level in 2005, park administration officials said on Thursday.

The rising demand for information electronic products -- such as PCs, cellphones, digital cameras and digital TVs -- benefited the semiconductor industry last year, which also contributed to the growth in the park's total revenue, the officials said.

Four of the six major industries in the park saw increases while the other two -- the computer peripherals industry and the communications industry -- posted a small decline, according to the officials.

The total revenue of the park's integrated circuit (IC) industry went up 17 percent, the officials said, adding that the optoelectronics industry was up 18 percent, precision machinery industry up 36 percent and the bioindustry up 2 percent.

By the end of last year, the total number of companies and manufacturers in the park had reached a record high of 395, with 121,762 employees, which was a 10 percent rise from the previous year, the officials said.

The total value of import and export trade in the park last year rose 20 percent to hit NT$982.3 billion, the officials said. The total value of exports was up 22 percent to reach NT$592.9 billion, while that of imports increased 18 percent to record NT$389.4 billion.