Taipei, Aug. 15, 2008 (CENS)--Despite the gloomy global economy, Taiwan`s Hsinchu Science Park (HSP) still witnessed annual rise of 4.25% to NT$553.379 billion (US$17.85 billion at US$1 = NT$31) in total revenues in the first half of this year, with optoelectronics posting the highest growth of 41.86%.

Yen Chung-ming, director general of HSP Administration, indicated that the sharp rise of optoelectronics industry was mainly due to the ample investments in solar energy that helped boost the industry by nearly 42% to break NT$100 billion (US$3.23 billion) level for the first time. However, the growth of semiconductor industry was behind expectations due to obvious drop in quoted prices of DRAM.

In the first half of the year the number of the approved investment cases in HSP experienced a slight drop from the corresponding figure of last year, yet the approved investment value posted a rise.

Yen analyzed that HSP showed pretty good performance to present upward trend in revenues in the first half although the world`s economic climate, influenced by soaring international oil prices, pressure of worsening inflation, and the expanding U.S. sub-prime mortgage storm, has been getting worse since the beginning of this year.

Yen predicted that the performance of HSP in the second half of the year would be even better than the first half and estimated to see a growth of 16% from the first half to a projected NT$640 billion (US$20.65 billion). If so, HSP`s total revenues for the full year will reach NT$1.198 trillion (US$38.65 billion).

HSP is going to promote a four-year plan to further bring in more manufacturers. Within four years HSP is expected to solicit additional 162 manufacturers to operate in HSP with projected investment of NT$342.8 billion (US$11.06 billion). After then, the number of approved operators in HSP may reach 550, Yen disclosed.

Performance of HSP in first half of 2008 Unit: NT$B
Industry	Revenues	Annual growth (%)	Investment value of new cases
Semiconductor	385.064	0.28	13.772
Optoelectronics	103.03	41.86	4.668
Computer & peripherals	41.617	-13.25	0.51
Telecommunication	15.255	-15.85	0.00
Precision machinery	5.604	2.95	0.33
Biotech	1,669	6.83	0.125
Others	1.14	5.79	0.00
Total	553.379	4.25	19.405

Source: HSP

(by Judy Li)