A memorandum of understanding on enhancing Taiwan’s Internet of Things, or IoT, ecosystem was inked Nov. 7 in Taipei City by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and high-tech heavyweight Qualcomm Inc. as part of government efforts to build the country into an Asian Silicon Valley.
Under the pact, the U.S.-based chipmaker will set up a Qualcomm partner lab in Taipei. Set to commence operations later this month, the facility will support development of fourth-generation plus and fifth-generation Internet of Everything products and solutions based on Qualcomm technologies.
Both sides will leverage the flexible production prowess of Taiwan’s and the U.S.’s high-tech sectors and initiate a strategic alliance involving network service carriers and solutions providers, as well as original design and equipment manufacturers. These measures are expected to capitalize on the global IoT sector’s growing demand for high customization and diverse vertical applications.
MOEA Deputy Minister Shen Jong-chin said at the signing ceremony that the backing of Qualcomm is highly welcomed and will assist the government in sharpening Taiwan’s advanced R&D capabilities, fostering start-ups, and helping fast-track development in high-tech sectors including automotive, computing and smart city.
Echoing Shen’s remarks, Qualcomm Executive Chairman Paul Jacobs said his firm is proud to partner with Taiwan. “The lab will serve as a hub for sharing ideas and expertise and collaborating on the development of new solutions to advance Taiwan’s IoT technology.”
Qualcomm is committed to assisting local telecom product and solution providers expand their footprint in the global marketplace through its worldwide technical network, he added.
According to the MOEA, Qualcomm is a longstanding partner of Taiwan and strong supporter of the local information and communication technology sector. The American outfit was honored by the MOEA in 2014 and 2015 with an International Procurement Office Award.
A similar pact was concluded by the MOEA with Microsoft Corp. in October 2015 for the establishment in Taipei of the U.S. tech giant’s first IoT development center worldwide.
The IoT-focused Asian Silicon Valley initiative is one of five strategic promotion targets under President Tsai Ing-wen’s New Model for Economic Development. The other four are biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, green energy, national defense and smart machinery. (SFC-E)
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