KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — American chip giant AMD (超微) has established a new office in southern Taiwan's industrial heartland, signaling growing international confidence in the region's technological ecosystem. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) announced the company's expansion into the city's Lingya District (苓雅區) during a ceremony on Tuesday (March 25), describing it as a pivotal development for the local integrated circuit design industry. The investment represents a significant vote of confidence in Kaohsiung's emerging role as Taiwan's next semiconductor powerhouse.
At the ribbon-cutting event, Mayor Chen highlighted Kaohsiung's strategic focus on developing sophisticated upstream IC design capabilities and pioneering silicon photonics technology. These advancements are crucial for next-generation computing systems requiring unprecedented data processing speeds. The city has methodically cultivated an innovation-friendly ecosystem centered around the Asia Bay Smart Technology Innovation Park, which has increasingly drawn attention from international technology firms seeking to establish a presence in Taiwan's southern manufacturing corridor.
AMD Taiwan General Manager Vincent Chern (陳民皓) expressed appreciation for the municipal government's assistance throughout the expansion process. He specifically praised Kaohsiung's advantageous geographic position and well-established industrial infrastructure that made the city an attractive investment destination. Municipal officials from the Economic Development Bureau (高市府經發局) emphasized that AMD's presence would substantially enhance the local integrated circuit design ecosystem while accelerating artificial intelligence research through strategic partnerships with academic institutions and existing technology firms in the region.
The city's ambitious technology sector expansion is part of a coordinated strategy, according to Economic Development Bureau Director-General Liao Tai-hsiang (廖泰翔). He outlined Kaohsiung's vision to transform into a globally recognized technology center, with the Nanzih Industrial Park (楠梓產業園區) serving as the central node connecting various specialized technology zones throughout the metropolitan area. Liao pointed to previous successful investments from industry leaders including TSMC and Merck as evidence of the region's growing appeal, while extending invitations to other international technology corporations considering Taiwan expansion.
