Building on the success of earlier events in Taiwan, Berlin hosted the EU-Taiwan Matchmaking Event from June 10 to 12, 2024. Organised by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform on behalf of the European Commission in collaboration with the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and the European Enterprise Network (EEN), the event coincided with the Taiwan Expo 2024 in Europe. Taiwanese companies and trade organisations joined their European counterparts, bringing their innovative spirit to the heart of Europe.

In a dedicated matchmaking session, over 60 meetings took place between companies and clusters, fostering cooperation aimed at advancing technologies with a sustainable focus. Participants also attended the Taiwan-EU Semiconductor Forum and visited Fraunhofer IZM, a leading research institute specialising in semiconductors and packaging technology.

The main EU delegation comprised clusters from Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and Romania. Taiwan is the EU’s 14th largest trading partner with bilateral trade in goods reaching €84.2 billion and plays an indispensable role in global supply chains. The event sought to assist companies on both sides to collaborate and strengthen existing ties. As a global hub for innovation, Taiwan offers diverse business opportunities for EU companies, making it a key partner for the EU and its Member States. With the EU remaining a major exporter, its cooperation with Taiwan exemplifies the potential for mutual growth.

DAY 1

The mission began with the opening of the Taiwan Expo in Europe 2024, a major event for Taiwanese businesses. Held in Europe for the first time, the expo highlighted Taiwan's latest technologies, innovations, and achievements in the green, digital, and cultural sectors. The attending EU delegation met with top officials from both Taiwan and the EU, highlighting the importance of their partnership.

"This Expo symbolises our aspiration to open a new chapter in our relationship with Europe. The EU and Taiwan share the same vision for the future: a safer and more sustainable world. By working together, we can face global challenges for a better tomorrow for all," said James C.F. Huang, Chairman at TAITRA Global.

Jakub Boratyński, Director Networks and Governance, DG GROW (Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs), European Commission, emphasised the strong trade and economic ties between Taiwan and Europe, stating, "This matchmaking event is an opportunity to strengthen our ties. We want to help companies on both sides develop new collaborations."

Following the opening session, participants toured the Taiwan Expo, which featured various sectors and displayed Taiwan's technological prowess and commitment to sustainable development:

• Smart Eco Mobility: Showcasing sustainable transportation solutions, including Chander Electronics Corp. with their mobile charging robot, E-HERO, and DARAD Innovation Corporation with their innovative e-bike solutions.
• Work & Recreation + AI: Highlighting AI-driven devices and recreational technology, with companies like ADATA Technology Co. Ltd.
• Smart Healthcare: Featuring advancements from companies such as Advantech Co., Ltd., which integrates technology in healthcare for improved patient outcomes.
• Eco-Friendly Circularity: Presenting innovative recycling and sustainable practices.
• Smart Living: Showcasing smart home solutions.

Some members of the EU delegation then joined the Taiwan-EU Semiconductor forum featuring high-profile speakers from TSMC, European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC), MediaTek, Realtek, Merck, Fraunhofer, ZVEI and Silicon Saxony. They discussed expanding chip production, innovation in the automotive and AI semiconductor industry and fostering skilled talent.

The forum emphasised growing Taiwan-EU collaboration in semiconductors, with James C.F. Huang of TAITRA underscoring Taiwan’s historical significance in the evolution of global computing since the 1980s, and its current role in driving AI innovations, stating, “Semiconductors are the essential backbone behind all the innovation.” From Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, Cynthia Kiang noted, “Without collaboration with trusted international partners, our semiconductor production capabilities would be significantly hindered.”

Laith Altimime, President of Semi Europe, projected the industry’s potential to reach a trillion dollars by 2030, stressing the need for global collaboration. Gunnar Thomas of TSMC marked the opening of the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) as a significant milestone, combining Taiwanese expertise with European strengths.

The forum showcased the importance of the ESMC’s opening, with Dr. Christian Koirzsch, President of ESMC, highlighting it as one of the largest construction projects in the German industry, which aims to enhance EU competitiveness through sustainable and innovative semiconductor production. The event also underscored the pivotal role semiconductors play across all sectors and the necessity for robust Taiwan-EU cooperation to drive future technological advancements and economic growth.

In the afternoon, the EU Delegation participated in the EU-Taiwan Business Cooperation Seminar, organised by ECCP & EEN. This event provided a platform for clusters and SMEs from Europe and Taiwan to pitch their businesses, setting the stage for the next day's Matchmaking session. The list of notable pitchers included:

• Vesselin Vassilev, CEO, CASTRA, Bulgaria
• Marius Alexa, President, Iconic Cluster, Romania
• Mike Richardson, Senior Project Manager, OptecBB, Germany  
• Federica Fernandez, Ecodomus, Italy,
• Berta Szabo, Cluster Manager, Southwest Hungarian Engineering Cluster, Hungary
• Mateo Djouadi, Finance Innovation, France
• Eugenio Mimosi, International Affairs Manager, BioPMed, Italy
• Lucas Wang, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Synergy Development Center
• Larry CHEN, CEO of MIJILY CO., LTD.
• Sammy CHIU, Vice President of Business Development of SZ JIE, Taiwan, LI ENTERPRISE CO., LTD, Taiwan
• Deya, General Manager of UNIPARAGON ENTERPRISE CO., LT

 

The seminar was a prime opportunity for EU and Taiwanese delegations to showcase their companies and offerings. Following the pitching sessions, participants shared testimonials and success stories, featuring insights from Mike Richardson of OptecBB and Roberto Lai of ITRI Europe Office.

Dr. Jürgen Maurer from Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI) and Leonie Yang from the German Trade Office Taipei presented the practical aspects of EU-Taiwan business cooperation. They discussed the evolving economic landscape under Taiwan's new government and emphasised the importance of the Taiwan-Germany trade relationship, which accounts for a quarter of EU-Taiwan trade.

Key points from the presentation included:

• Over 250 German companies operate in Taiwan, primarily in the chemistry, vehicles, and electronics sectors, with a strong presence in B2B, B2C, and B2G markets.
• An annual survey indicated that 49% of German companies plan to invest in Taiwan within the next two years, reflecting significant improvements from 2022 to 2023.
• German companies value the reliability of Taiwanese business relationships, the stability of Taiwan's economy, and the quality of local staff.

The seminar provided direct support for business endeavours, reinforcing the robust and growing economic ties between the EU and Taiwan.

DAY 2: Matchmaking and Collaboration

The second day focused on fostering cooperation and building connections. The EU delegation participated in a series of matchmaking meetings, both through the B2Match platform and in person at the Taiwan Expo in Europe. These sessions facilitated direct interactions between European and Taiwanese businesses, laying the groundwork for future collaborations. Over 60 meetings were conducted, demonstrating the appetite for cross-continental partnerships.

In the afternoon, a debriefing session led by Zoran Stamencic from EISMEA (European Commission) gathered feedback from all EU Cluster participants. This session underscored the importance of such events in promoting international collaboration and provided insights into the experiences and outcomes of the day’s activities.

“If you are running a cluster or work for a cluster, joining these events is key. If you are looking to internationalise, this is a great opportunity," said Mateo Djouadi from Finance Innovation. Vesselin Vassilev from CASTRA echoed this sentiment, stating, "We must continue these missions with Taiwan to establish essential interactions."

DAY 3: Fraunhofer IZM Visit

On the last day of the mission, the EU delegation visited Fraunhofer IZM, a leading research institute specializing in semiconductors, packaging technology, and the integration of multifunctional electronics into systems. During the visit, participants explored several cutting-edge departments and facilities, gaining valuable insights into advanced semiconductor technologies.

The tour included key stations such as the Substrup, Condition Monitoring Lab, a discussion with Daniel Hahn (Research Scientist and Expert on Microsystems Engineering), and a stop at the packaging factory.

At the Condition Monitoring Lab, participants saw how Fraunhofer tests electronic products' design and durability under extreme conditions, emphasizing their role in sustainability and reliability. This comprehensive tour showcased Fraunhofer's state-of-the-art capabilities in semiconductor research and development, which are crucial for driving innovation and maintaining Europe's competitive edge in the global semiconductor industry.

📸 Check out the event photos: EU-Taiwan Matchmaking Event in Berlin, Germany 2024

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