嘉義生技園區開幕! 與南、北互別苗頭!

Industrial innovation center launched in Chiayi  The Chiayi Industrial Innovation Center was unveiled June 12 to promote government-industry R&D cooperation in biotechnology and precision machinery, according to the MOEA. (Courtesy of MOEA)Publication Date：06/13/2011 Source： Taiwan Today   The Chiayi Industrial Innovation Center was inaugurated June 12 in southern Taiwan's Chiayi City, on the Tropic of Cancer, to boost the local development of biotechnology and machinery manufacturing, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. "This facility is a milestone in the development of industry in the greater Chiayi area," ROC Vice President Vincent C. Siew said at the opening ceremony. "It marks substantial progress in creating a high value-added industrial zone in the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan corridor, as promised when the current administration took office three years ago." Siew said he expects the CIIC to lead the way in research and development for food products, high-end agriculture and precision machinery, and stimulate technological upgrades and job openings for small and medium enterprises. The MOEA said the innovation center has attracted 19 firms from the food, biotechnology and health care industries, and is expected to bring in investment of NT$200 million (US$6.94 million) over the next three years. Minister of Economic Affairs Shih Yen-shiang said, "The center will integrate R&D efforts by government, academia and industry in the region, and also provide know-how for the food, health care, metals, precision machinery and bicycle industries." The 10.49-hectare innovation center, built by the Industrial Technology Research Institute starting in October 2009, incorporates a personnel training facility plus a trial factory for mass production to help businesses commercialize their innovative ideas, operated by the Food Industry Research and Development Institute. An R&D building is set to be completed in August and begin operations next year, the MOEA said. Costing NT$792 million, the center also features sustainable architectural technologies, including recycled construction materials, rooftop solar panels and gardens, as well as permeable raft foundations underground to collect rainfall, according to the MOEA. (THN)