The Taiwan Industrial Development Bureau has completed a draft of appraisal regarding the migration of IC packaging and testing and small-size TFT LCD production processes to China. This draft is intended to pave the way for panel makers to transfer labor-intensive production processes such as dicing and filling. Small panels are defined as four inches or smaller.

 

This draft marks a reversal of the Bureau's previous decision not to allow panel makers to base production in China. However, citing the heating up of the panel industry, the Bureau began to assess the possibility. Although the draft is still pending review by a panel of industry, government, and academic experts, panel makers such as AUO, Toppoly, and Prime View have been stepping up efforts for such a shift.