Odisha readies draft MoU for Hsinchu science park

The Odisha government has readied the draft MoU (memorandum of understanding) to be signed with the government of Hsinchu science county of Taiwan for developing a world class science and technology park in the city.

The state government has sent the draft for due scrutiny and approval by the Ministry of external affairs. On March 16 this year, the state government had signed a letter of intent with the government of Hsinchu science county. Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (Idco) which has acquired 500 acres of land at Infovalley on the city’s outskirts is keen to develop it as a world class park for science and technology on the lines of Hsinchu science park (HSP).

 

HSP is one of the significant areas for semiconductor manufacturing. More than 400 hi-tech companies, mainly involved in semiconductor, computer, telecommunication and opto-electronics industries, have put up their shops in the park. The 400-odd technology companies of the science park accounted for 10 per cent of Taiwan’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2007. HSP is also home to the world's top two semiconductor companies- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and United Microelectronics Corporation.

According to the draft pact, Hsinchu county, through HSP and other similar projects in Hsinchu, would provide all required technical support for master planning, designing and structuring the Infovalley project on mutually agreed terms and conditions.

On its part, the Odisha government through Idco and other related agencies, would provide all required infrastructure and services to establish Infovalley as a world class science and technology park.

Both the signatories would also work out and put in place appropriate institutional mechanisms for development of the project and execution of MoU. They would also jointly promote Infovalley and work towards attracting global companies, particularly from Taiwan and China to set up operations there.

The companies setting up operations in Infovalley would bring investments in cutting edge technology as well as world class research & development (R&D) and innovation capabilities in the areas of hardware, software, networking and manufacturing to Odisha. These companies would get access to the huge Indian domestic market as well as the global markets.

Hsinchu county, through HSP and other similar science parks would cooperate in information sharing.

It will also provide assistance in making presentations about the park and arranging visits to science park related organizations such as research institutes, universities and incubators to have a concrete idea about a science park.