Taiwan’s small investment in Lithuanian chip production is better than it sounds

Taiwan, the world’s largest semiconductor supplier, has an unexpected hand in Lithuania and across Europe.

The Asian country plans to invest just over 10 million euros ($9.98 million) in chip production in the Baltics, the head of its Taiwan representative office in Vilnius said on Monday.

as Reuters reportTaiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) plans to cooperate with Lithuanian electronics manufacturer Teltonika to develop semiconductor technology, providing more than a dozen Taiwanese scholarships to Lithuanians for training purposes .

According to Eric Huang, head of the representative office, the €10 million investment is expected to be completed by early next year. The funds are part of a €200 million equity investment fund and his €1 billion loan facility for Lithuania and other Central and Eastern European countries.

Even mentions of European chip partnerships with big powers like Taiwan are worth noting. So far, China has only approached strategic partners like the United States and Japan — global players with growing tensions with China. will come to defend the island.

For Europe, this investment is good news. When it comes to manufacturing semiconductor chips, Europe is practically non-existentThis was clearly demonstrated during the pandemic, when supply chains collapsed and the continent struggled to source chips. lead to an industry-wide creak.

The EU, of course, has its eye on this and is looking to boost its domestic chip manufacturing capacity in two main ways.

First, we suggested European tipping law this year, aims to build a regional semiconductor industry. Second, they have tried to attract large companies to build factories on the continent. €68 billion investment in Intel Open German site.

Of course, none of these moves have made much of a difference, and the continent still relies on Asian manufacturers. some arguments These moves by block are too few and too slow. But there are reasons for hope.

Yes, Taiwan’s €10 million investment in Lithuania is a drop in the ocean.Creating a functioning semiconductor chip industry Europe Hundreds, if not trillions, of euros will be required for investment, but this symbolic action hints at a brighter future for the continent.

Europe may be just the beginning of its plans to become a chip producer, but that little move is better than nothing. After all, every journey begins with a step.