Industrial Development Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs

The Plan for Space Industry Supply Chain Development and Communications Industry Talent Empowerment

In June 2021, Taiwan passed the Space Development Act, marking a crucial step in establishing the legal foundation for Taiwan's space development. After taking office in 2024, President Lai announced the promotion of "Five Trusted Industry Sectors", with the development of low-orbit satellites and ground equipment being a crucial component of the next-generation communications industry. This plan aims to support the development of Taiwan's space industry, focusing on four key areas:

A. Promoting Talent Engagement in Research and Development for the Networking Communication Industry

B. Driving the Development of the Satellite Ground Equipment Supply Chain

C.Advancing Cross-Domain Satellite Application Demonstrations and International Industry Collaboration

D. Strategic Analysis and Promotion of Space Industry Development

The plan encourages businesses to invest in integrating satellite ground terminal systems and developing key technologies. It also aims to establish cross-domain satellite demonstration sites, facilitate industry-academia collaboration on talent development through research and development, enhance manufacturing and testing technologies, and help Taiwanese manufacturers expand into the international satellite supply chain.

Key achievements include:

1. Promoted an "industry-led, talent-driven" R&D model; engaged 23 space companies (81 students ranging from undergraduate to PhD level) and 32 5G companies (113 students ranging from undergraduate to PhD level) in proposing and solving R&D challenges. This initiative helps industries cultivate skilled talent and address talent shortages.

2. Leveraged a space-themed innovation competition as a talent development platform and partnered with an international satellite manufacturer to launch the Sponsor Special Topic. The competition featured three tracks—Innovation, Implementation, and Sponsor Special Topic—attracting 207 cross-disciplinary and multinational participants, which led to the creation of 72 space technology solutions.

3. Aligning with international testing standards, we assisted two Taiwanese manufacturers in entering the Global Satellite Operator's Association (GSOA) Authorized Test Entities (ATE) candidate list for the first time, helping Taiwan's satellite user terminal industry reduce testing time.

4. Established a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband demonstration site in Kaohsiung Asia New Bay Area and planned two maritime testing sites. Through connections to international satellite operator signals, successfully assisted 14 Taiwanese companies in completing maritime application service verifications, accelerating the optimization of LEO communication equipment.

5. Led the Taiwan Space Team (17 companies, 48 products) at SATELLITE 2024 and other domestic and international business events, resulting in 17 international partnerships with major European and American satellite companies, approximately NT$7.6 billion in investment, and an NT$81.4 billion increase in domestic satellite ground equipment production value (compared to 2020).

6. Assisted one Taiwanese company in applying for an "Intangible Asset Financing Program"; the company successfully obtained NT$100 million in intangible asset financing, accelerating the domestic technology development and facilitating future international partnerships.