Poland Unveils TEEMA Science Park to Create Europe's ICT Gateway for Taiwanese Companies

(Warsaw, May 11, CNA Reporter Zheng Jingyu) Poland's Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Michał Jaros, stated in an exclusive interview with Polish business media Business Insider Polska today that Poland is fully committed to becoming the preferred location for Taiwanese companies in Europe. The Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA) will create the 'TEEMA Science Park' in Poland, targeting high-tech industries such as semiconductors and AI servers, with the goal of transforming Poland into Europe's information and communication technology (ICT) core.

Jaros stated in the interview that the objective of this mega investment project is to build Poland as a gateway for Taiwanese companies entering Europe. This not only involves the previous Izera electric vehicle cooperation but also expands the scope to high-end fields such as semiconductors, ICT, and artificial intelligence servers.

He mentioned that the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA) is leading this massive investment project. TEEMA has approximately 3,000 member companies, contributing about one-quarter of Taiwan's gross domestic product. Currently, the association is led by Liu Young-way, chairman of global contract manufacturing giant Foxconn.

He specifically emphasized that Foxconn Group's revenue scale in 2025 will reach US$250 billion (approximately NT$8 trillion), equivalent to 25% of Poland's GDP, demonstrating the strategic significance of this cooperation for Poland's economic structural transformation.

Jaros revealed that the science park might be located in the core area between Wroclaw, Katowice, and Lodz. These three cities possess deep industrial traditions and talent support from top technical universities, but the final site selection will be decided by the Taiwanese side.

He also stated that to meet the park's demand for approximately 150 hectares and high power supply, the Polish government has invested nearly 400 million Zloty (approximately NT$3.24 billion) in infrastructure development in Miękinia, Lower Silesian Voivodeship. The Polish government aims to acquire the land and commence construction by the end of 2026.

Jaros announced that the specific investment location and the first phase business plan are expected to be officially unveiled during the Taiwan Expo, to be held in Warsaw from June 22 to 24 this year, which will see 100 Taiwanese companies visiting.

Jaros pointed out that this large-scale investment is not merely a commercial endeavor between companies but a strategic plan fully supported by the Taiwanese government. In negotiations with the Taiwanese side, rather than direct financial subsidies or government grants, Taiwan is currently prioritizing the optimization of the investment environment and administrative efficiency.

To enhance its competitive advantage, Poland plans to introduce a 'One-Stop Shop' service to simplify administrative procedures and, following the Czech model, streamline work permit procedures for professional engineering talents from Taiwan and other regions.

In addition to the science park, Jaros further proposed the vision of transforming Poland into 'Europe's Copper Valley' (dolina miedziowa Europy), combining Poland's rich local resources of copper, silver, and other rare earths with Taiwan's manufacturing technology to strengthen Europe's supply chain sovereignty from semiconductor raw materials to final products.

Regarding concerns that deepened cooperation with Taiwan might provoke a reaction from China, Jaros explicitly stated that cooperation between Poland and Taiwan is purely based on economic, technological, and cultural aspects and does not have a political nature.

He bluntly said that Poland must have the ability to manufacture 'sovereign products' domestically to ensure information security and prevent leaks. Citing Poland's current inability to independently produce mobile phones, he noted that cooperation with Taiwan is a strategic choice for Poland to move towards technological self-reliance and break free from dependence on a single external supply chain.

Jaros concluded that in the current context of global technological competition and geopolitical tensions, economic cooperation with Taiwan will be a crucial key to ensuring Poland's future technological autonomy and security. (Edited by Tang Shenyang) 1150511