Taichung:Taipei President Lai Ching-te emphasized on Thursday that with the global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) on the rise, Taiwan's comprehensive semiconductor capabilities and reliable supply chain will become increasingly crucial to the world.

According to Focus Taiwan, President Lai made these remarks at the inauguration of Micron Technology Inc.'s new advanced assembly and testing facility in Taichung. He highlighted how Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC)'s advanced chip manufacturing and packaging technologies, combined with Micron's continued investment in advanced memory, position Taiwan as a key player in the AI sector.

Lai stated that as the demand for AI grows, so does the need for Taiwan as a trusted partner with complete industrial capabilities. The newly completed facility in Taichung, which was built in just over a year, showcases Micron's commitment to Taiwan and is expected to enhance both the company's global competitiveness and the nation's semiconductor ecosystem.

Micron has invested over NT$1.4 trillion (US$43.18 billion) in Taiwan over the last thirty years, which Lai noted as a sign of confidence in the country. He mentioned that both chips and memory are vital in the AI era and that the new facility will boost advanced packaging and testing capabilities for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) to meet increasing global AI demands.

Furthermore, Lai mentioned that the government has extended its Taiwan investment incentive programs through 2027, broadening eligibility for overseas Taiwanese businesses and foreign companies. These programs offer financing support and services to help address challenges related to land, water, and electricity.

Additionally, Micron has obtained funding from the Ministry of Economic Affairs' A+ Industrial Innovation R and D Program to speed up HBM research and development in Taiwan, further enhancing investment and production capacity. Lai reiterated the government's "dual-engine" strategy, which focuses on developing both high-tech and traditional industries, and called for collaboration between various sectors to ensure a healthy industrial environment and sustainable business growth.