The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) yesterday presented 94 government projects that are open to investment from the private sector next year, with the value of potential business opportunities exceeding NT$264.4 billion (US8.39 billion).
The value of the business opportunities at its annual investment fair in Taipei was the highest in 10 years, Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tai (王國材) told reporters on the sidelines of the event.
“In the past five years, we attracted an average of NT$138.5 billion from the private sector. Last year, the projects we presented, which are worth NT$187.9 billion, have so far attracted investment of NT$72.9 billion,” Wang said.
Photo: Cheng Wei-chi, Taipei Times
“We have 94 projects this year, with business opportunities worth more than NT$264.4 billion. The projects cover a wide range of areas, from railways, freeways and seaports to airports... Not only do they present many business opportunities, they will contribute to the development of different localities,” he said.
Many of the projects are properties near the 240 railway stations run by the Taiwan Railways Administration, which is to transform into a state-run railway company, Wang said.
“We have relaxed many regulations to facilitate the development of these properties, including railway stations, warehouses and workers’ dormitories. Most of them are in metropolitan areas,” Wang said.
“Next year, when the new railway company chairman, Tu Wei (杜微), takes office, his first assignment is to identify properties that are fit for further development,” he said.
Highlights at this year’s investment fair include the Fongshan Railway Station renovation project in Kaohsiung, a land development project in Taipei’s Andong Street, the Tainan High-Speed Rail Station’s industrial zone development project, and turning the 20A and 20B areas at the Port of Taichung into a tourism and recreational business district.
The Kaohsiung Port Pier 21 rear line land project aims to draw more than NT$10 billion in investments, the most among all projects, the ministry said, adding that details are expected to be announced in the fourth quarter of next year.
Among major transportation construction projects, the cost of building a new subway section in Taoyuan is the highest at NT$17.5 billion, the ministry said, adding that details are to be announced some time between July and October next year.
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