TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Costco Taiwan is reportedly planning on opening a third branch in Taichung.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) said that Costco, which has branches in Nantun and Beitun districts, will open a third branch in the city. On Monday (April 29), independent councilor Chen Ting-hsiu (陳廷秀) said the new branch could be opened in the coastal Greater Haixian area, reported ETtoday. 

During a session on finance and economic affairs at Taichung City Council on Monday, Chen touched on Lu's mention of a third Costco branch. Chen said, "If the mayor said so, there must be some truth to it," and “it might be in the Haixian area.”

In response, Chang Feng-yuan (張峯源), chief of Taichung City Economic Development Bureau, said that the bureau has received information about Costco's intention to build a third store but cannot definitively confirm it.

Chen said that if there are such favorable opportunities, he hopes that the city government will focus on local employment and provide benefits to residents. Otherwise, developments are concentrated along the Haixian area, yet residents receive no benefits, he said.

Chen also said that Uni-President Enterprises Corporation is constructing a central cold chain and logistics center in the Port of Taichung area, which is expected to create more than 1,000 job opportunities. He urged the city government to emphasize local employment.