Czech Republic at the heart of the chip world: an opportunity too big to miss

12 | Technika & trh | special edition

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technology hubs, particularly in electronics

and semiconductors. How does Czech

industry perceive the potential for cooperation

with Taiwanese technology companies?

Taiwan is perceived by Czech industry as one of the

most important technological partners in Asia. Czech

companies have strong competencies in related

industry areas, which creates opportunities for broader

industrial and technological cooperation. Some examples

of companies already active in Taiwan include LINET

(hospital beds), MEDIATRADE (pacemakers), and GENERI

BIOTECH (molecular biology andgenetics). Another example

is DG Solutions, a Czech company developing advanced

technologies andcomponents for thesemiconductor andAI

industries, whose innovations are increasingly nding their

way into global high-tech supply chains.

The Confederation of Industry organises every year

ameeting ofthe Czech-Taiwan Business Council (founded

in1998). TheCouncil supports bilateral trade andinvestment

cooperation between companies in both countries, with

an emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises

and cooperation with higher added value. Inrecent years,

it has also focused on cooperation in the eld of applied

research and technology transfer. The main discussion

topics typically include the latest industry trends, such

as smart cities, green energy, ICT, innovation, precision

engineering, andbiotechnology.

Taiwan is a global leader in semiconductor

technology. Does the Confederation

of Industry see room for greater involvement

of Czech companies or research institutions

in Taiwanese technology supply chains?

Yes, denitely. The Czech Republic has a strong tradition

inareas that are important for thesemiconductor industry.

Czech companies can bepartners, for example, inthe supply

ofspecialized production equipment, testing technologies,

orsoftware for industrial applications.

Czech research institutions can also play an important

role in joint technology projects. We also see promising

developments in Czech companies working on advanced

technologies for AI and semiconductor manufacturing,

which are increasingly nding applications inglobal high-

tech supply chains.

Has the Confederation of Industry observed

growing interest among Taiwanese technology

companies in investing in the Czech Republic

– for example in research, development,

or production capacity?

In recent years, we have seen growing interest among

Taiwanese technology companies in cooperating with

Eu rop ea n pa r t ner s. TheCze ch Republic isperceive d asastable

industrial economy with a skilled workforce and a strong

industrial base. Our companies and organisations have

also established a functioning cooperation with Taiwanese

partners in many areas, such as the areas of research

and development, electronics, advanced manufacturing,

andthe automotive industry.

Taiwanese TSMC is building its rst European chip factory

inDresden. Theproject ispart ofthe EU‘s strategy toincrease

Europe‘s share ofchip production to20% by2030. Theplan

will bring further opportunities for Czech companies.

Taiwanese Analog Bits, which is part ofthe manufacturing

processes ofcompanies such asTSMC, has already opened

adevelopment center inPrague. Topco Scientic andTeaLa

want to turn Czech Republic into an industrial base

aspartners inthe TSMC project. CTi Cable inKlecany, located

inthe P3 industrial park, will manufacture cables for fast data

transfer, typically for HDMI, USB, Ethernet, orDisplayPort.

The Czech Republic has a strong tradition

in machine tools and manufacturing

technologies. What specific opportunities

does the Confederation of Industry see for

Czech machinery or automation solution

providers in the Taiwanese market?

Taiwanese industry creates demand for modern

manufacturing technologies. Czech companies can offer

solutions in the areas of precision machining, automation

andspecialized production lines. Interesting opportunities

are also emerging in the areas of commercial drone

applications, security software andaerospace.

TheCzech semiconductor chain isparticularly strong inthe

supply of machinery and equipment for the production

ofintegrated circuits.

Approximately one third ofthe world‘s electron microscopes

are supplied from Czechia, with a particularly strong

concentration of development and production capacities

in Brno, which has become one of the key European

centres for electron microscopy and semiconductor-

related technologies. These microscopes are used in the

semiconductor chain mainly for chip quality control

and for advanced analysis of semiconductor materials

and components focused on the development of new

technological solutions. For example, the Brno-based

company Thermo Fisher Scientic supplies microscopes

to TSMC, Intel, Apple, Samsung, and Nvidia. In addition

to electron microscopes, companies operating in Czechia

are also able tosupply optical components for lithographic

machines andother specialized machines.

What role can Czech universities, research

centres, and technology parks play

in developing Czech-Taiwanese

technological cooperation?

Universities and research institutions can play a key role

asabridge between industry andtechnological development.

Joint research projects, student andresearcher exchanges,

andthe creation ofjoint research laboratories are important.

A project nanced by Taiwan (Supply Chain Resilience

Centre), which isoverseen byCharles University deals with

various mapping andnon-technological issues. Theproject

• The TSMC project inDresden will open new

opportunities for Czech companies.

• Approximately one third ofthe world’s electron

microscopes are manufactured inBrno.

• Thermo Fisher Scientic inBrno supplies

technologies tocompanies such asTSMC, Intel, Apple,

Samsung, andNvidia.

• Czech companies are capable ofsupplying optical

components for lithography machines.

• Theplanned AI Factory inOstrava could accelerate

industrial innovation.