Chen made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2007 SemiTech Taipei (STT) at the Taipei World Trade Center, which will run through May 12 under the auspices of the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association (TSIA) and the Taipei Computer Association (TCA).

Chen thanked TSIA and TCA Chairman Frank Huang for his outstanding leadership in organizing the STT 2007, saying that the event offers a good opportunity for semiconductor manufacturers to display their latest products as well as manufacturing technologies and services.

In addition, Chen said, a series of international seminars and high-tech forums, to be held during the three-day show, will enable business leaders to exchange views on the outlook for the semiconductor sector’s development.

The minister continued that the government will continue to promote domestic semiconductor manufacturers’ innovation and research and development in order to uphold Taiwan’s status as the world’s largest semiconductor foundry.

According to organizers, 350 booths have been set up by around 150 companies to display their latest products and related technologies, including EDA tools, communication products, IC design, visual-audio compression products, IC manufacturing, packaging and testing, process equipment, components, materials, and embedded systems.

During the exhibition, a total of 24 international seminars and high-tech forums will be held to address the hottest topics in the industry, including market trends and the outlook for the global semiconductor industry, while a semiconductor industry job fair, jointly organized with the 1111 Job Bank, will also be held, the organizers said.