Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (
"We are planning to organize the first international convention at the location in March next year so we must make sure everything is on schedule," Chang said.
The premier made his remarks while visiting the construction site yesterday morning.
He insisted that the project must be completed on time, especially construction of transport infrastructure and future extension plans for the convention center.
The center, construction of which began in 2004, was supposed to be completed by last April. The exhibition hall comprises an eight-story building, including a basement.
The total area is approximately 144,000m2, with room for at least 2,666 booths, about twice the size of the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall.
The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA, 外貿協會) will be the active tenant for the center when construction is complete.
In addition to trade convention activity, the MOEA said that the Nangang exhibition hall can also be used for meetings, arts performances, concerts or sports events.
The fourth floor measures 23,000m2, about the size of two Taipei Arenas. There are 30,000 seats at the hall.
Next year's International Bicycle Show has been scheduled to be held at the new exhibition hall on March 13. In addition, another five international activities are also scheduled to be held at the building within the next 12 months.
However, delays to construction of the MRT's Nangang and Neihu lines mean that no MRT service will be available when the hall begins operating next year. Buses will be laid on to transport people to the Nangang site.
"This is a very serious problem and I have asked related government offices to look into it," Chang said.
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