Kaohsiung is doubling down on “going global” for young founders. Starting January 5, 2026, the city’s upgraded expo participation subsidy opens for applications, offering up to NT$100,000 per case and a lifetime limit of two applications to help local startups show up stronger in international trade shows.

The government’s Cross-border Workforce Enhancement Plan (跨國勞動力精進方案) is now in effect, opening the door for the lodging sector to recruit “Foreign Technical Workers (外國技術人力)” directly from overseas.

Plans call for a 23-story mixed-use tower with four underground levels, directly integrated with the station’s No. 1 exit in what developers describe as a true “step-off-the-train-and-go-home” design.

Report says investors think the city’s center is shifting to “a corridor” that includes the Main Train Station, Central Park, and the Asia New Bay.

Experts warn that graduates from northern Taiwan are often reluctant to relocate south, raising concerns that local universities alone may struggle to meet future workforce needs as related industries expand.

Design elements are expected to feature pedestrian platforms connecting station facilities, landscaped open space including a sunken garden, and buildings incorporating smart management systems.