TAIPEI: The third terminal at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport may be constructed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model and the possibility of foreign investment in the project will not be excluded, an official said yesterday.

The third terminal will be far larger than the two existing terminals at the airport, according to the "Ministry of Transportation and Communications" (MOTC) official.

In light of the involvement of foreign professional bidders in the planning, design and operation of other major airports in Asia, the official said, the MOTC does not rule out the possibility of allowing foreign investment in the construction and management of the new terminal, under the BOT formula.

The BOT formula allows private business groups to build and operate public infrastructure construction projects for a specified period of time and then transfer ownership to the government.

The official said that in November this year the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Administration is scheduled to be converted into a government-run corporate body that will be in charge of the development and management of the whole airport and its surroundings. The facility tentatively has been given the name Taoyuan Airport Park.

The park will form the backbone of an ambitious Taoyuan Aerotropolis development program - one of the 12 iTaiwan Projects outlined in Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou's campaign platform.

According to the official, the park will be spread over a total area of 2,528 hectares, which will include the airport's original 1,200 hectares and another 1,328 hectares to be acquired from private owners and naval authorities. The park will incorporate an adjacent free trade zone.

The MOTC has commissioned a professional consulting team to come up with a comprehensive aviation park development blueprint that is expected to be ready in May for presentation to the Executive Yuan for approval.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 01/12/2010 page2)