NDC approves Longtan Science Park expansion

The National Development Council (NDC) yesterday approved a plan to expand Taoyuan’s Longtan Science Park (龍潭科學園區) by 104 hectares, a project expected to create about 4,500 jobs.

The NDC, the policy planning arm of the Executive Yuan, approved the plan submitted by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) at a review meeting.

The plan next goes to the Executive Yuan for final approval.

National Development Council Minister Yeh Chun-hsien attends a news briefing in Taipei on Sept. 17 last year.

Photo: CNA

The expansion is intended to enhance the semiconductor industry cluster in the Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli area and further consolidate Taiwan’s competitive advantage in the high-tech sector, the NDC said in a statement.

The NT$95.63 billion (US$2.99 billion) expansion project would be funded through annual budget allocations from the Science Park Bureau’s Operation Fund, it said.

Under the plan, reviews of development permits for nonurban land and an environmental impact assessment are to be completed by the end of 2028.

Following land acquisition, the design and construction of park infrastructure would begin in 2030, with companies allowed to build their facilities concurrently, the NDC said.

The NSTC and Taoyuan City Government selected the 104-hectare site on the eastern side of Longtan Science Park in response to the growing demands of semiconductor firms, it said.

Once the expansion is completed, companies at the site are expected to produce NT$550 billion of goods and services per year and create about 4,500 well-paying jobs, it said.

Longtan Science Park is one of six satellite parks overseen by the Hsinchu Science Park (新竹科學園區).

The Longtan site currently covers 106.94 hectares and employs about 7,000 people, mainly in the integrated circuit, optoelectronics and biotechnology sectors, the Hsinchu Science Park’s Web site says.

In May, local media reported that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (台積電) was seeking government approval to build an advanced wafer fab at Longtan Science Park following the expansion.