Taiwan Looking at Chip Cooperation with Eastern European Nations

MediaTek chips are seen on a development board at the MediaTek booth during the 2015 Computex exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan, June 3, 2015. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang
MediaTek chips are seen on a development board at the MediaTek booth during the 2015 Computex exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan, June 3, 2015. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang
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Taiwan Looking at Chip Cooperation with Eastern European Nations

MediaTek chips are seen on a development board at the MediaTek booth during the 2015 Computex exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan, June 3, 2015. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang
MediaTek chips are seen on a development board at the MediaTek booth during the 2015 Computex exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan, June 3, 2015. REUTERS/Pichi Chuang

Taiwan is looking at cooperating with three Eastern European countries on semiconductors, a minister said on Thursday, a move likely to find favor in Brussels which has been courting Taiwanese semiconductor firms to manufacture in the bloc.

Tech powerhouse Taiwan, home to companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) (2330.TW), has become front and center of efforts to resolve a shortage of chips that has shut some auto production lines around the world and whose impact is now being felt in consumer electronics too.

While TSMC is building a $12 billion chip fabrication plant in the US state of Arizona, it has given no suggestion of interest in a similar facility in Europe, despite EU efforts to spur such investment.

Kung Ming-hsin, who heads Taiwan's National Development Council, told reporters following his visit to Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Lithuania last month that all three countries had mentioned they wanted to work on chips with the island, Reuters reported.

Taiwan will set up working groups with the three countries to work out how to cooperate on chips, while Taiwan will also give scholarships for technical training, he added.

"The whole semiconductor supply chain is enormous. Many countries can play different roles," Kung said.

Taiwan has been keen to express its gratitude to the three countries for their donations of COVID-19 vaccines, and also, for Lithuania and the Czech Republic's support as Taiwan faced growing political pressure from China.

Neither the EU nor its member states have formal diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed and democratically-ruled Taiwan, but Taipei has sought to bolster its relations with the bloc by stressing their shared values of freedom and democracy.

The European Commission has proposed legislation to boost chip production, and has angled for Taiwan's involvement.

Kung said it would be hard for Europe to do that on its own.

"So they hope to cooperate with Taiwan," he added.



Saudi Communications Minister Strengthens Global Partnerships in Technology, AI, Space

The meetings align with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to advance global partnerships in innovation, strengthen AI-driven investments, and develop high-growth sectors in line with Saudi Vision 2030. (SPA)
The meetings align with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to advance global partnerships in innovation, strengthen AI-driven investments, and develop high-growth sectors in line with Saudi Vision 2030. (SPA)
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Saudi Communications Minister Strengthens Global Partnerships in Technology, AI, Space

The meetings align with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to advance global partnerships in innovation, strengthen AI-driven investments, and develop high-growth sectors in line with Saudi Vision 2030. (SPA)
The meetings align with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to advance global partnerships in innovation, strengthen AI-driven investments, and develop high-growth sectors in line with Saudi Vision 2030. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha held high-level meetings with senior executives from major global companies at the Future Investment Initiative in Miami (FII PRIORITY Miami 2025) to bolster partnerships in technology, artificial intelligence (AI), investment, and the space sector, while promoting entrepreneurship in the Kingdom.

Alswaha met with NEA CEO Tony Florence to discuss strategies for supporting tech entrepreneurs and boosting startup investment, which would strengthen Saudi Arabia’s innovation ecosystem, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.

In a discussion with Oracle CEO Safra Catz, he explored avenues to expand cooperation in cloud computing and AI, focusing on strengthening digital infrastructure and advancing the Kingdom’s digital economy.

To accelerate Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in the space sector, the minister met with SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell to discuss space exploration and rocket technology collaboration.

Alswaha also conferred with SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son on expanding investment partnerships in technology and AI to drive digital economic growth.

He met with Vista Equity Partners CEO Robert F. Smith to discuss enhancing technology investments, asset management, and startup empowerment, positioning Saudi Arabia as a key destination for tech investment.

The meetings align with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to advance global partnerships in innovation, strengthen AI-driven investments, and develop high-growth sectors in line with Saudi Vision 2030.