Taipei: Taiwan continues to expand its semiconductor supply chain in Europe, forming strategic partnerships with Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

According to Focus Taiwan, the expansion is driven by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s (TSMC) 10 billion euro (US$10.33 billion) investment in a new fabrication plant in Germany. This initiative aims to solidify Taiwan's role in Europe's semiconductor ecosystem, as stated by the ministry. TSMC began construction on a 12-inch wafer fab in Dresden last August, which is expected to commence mass production by the end of 2027, focusing on automotive and industrial applications.

During a visit to Germany and the Czech Republic in December 2024, Economic Minister Kuo Jyh-huei highlighted various ongoing initiatives to assist Taiwanese firms in exploring investment opportunities in the region. Among these efforts is the recent opening of the Taiwan Trade and Investment Center in Prague, which will support collaboration in artificial intelligence and information and communication technology (ICT), according to Kuo.

Taiwan is also seeking to expand its presence in Czech industrial hubs like Usti and Brno. Brno is already home to major Taiwanese electronics firms such as Wistron, Inventec, and Acer, as noted by MOEA officials. The Czech Republic has launched a national semiconductor development strategy that aims to collaborate with Taiwan's wafer foundries and connect them with the country's ICT design industry through a platform involving Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute.

Meanwhile, Polish officials have emphasized that the country is leveraging its automotive and battery production strengths to integrate into the semiconductor industry. Pawel Pudlowski, deputy chairman of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, mentioned that Poland's strong workforce, education system, and infrastructure make it an attractive destination for foreign investment.

Poland currently has 14 economic zones across the country, offering reduced corporate taxes to companies entering these zones as a means of attracting investment, according to the Polish government.