Kretschmer promotes growth in Silicon Saxony in Taiwan

Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer visited the semiconductor company TSMC at the start of his trip to Asia in Taiwan. "TSMC is hugely important for us. It is the largest foreign investment currently taking place in Germany. And it is, of course, a major technological leap forward," said the CDU politician after a meeting with TSMC CEO C.C. Wei.

Billion-euro project creates thousands of jobs in Dresden

TSMC is currently building a new plant in Dresden together with partners. The investment sum is reportedly around ten billion euros. This is one of the largest relocation projects in Germany in recent times. Thousands of new jobs in the microchip industry are expected in the region in the coming years - not only through TSMC, but also through expansions by Infineon and Globalfoundries.

With a view to the TSMC plant in Dresden, Kretschmer emphasized its importance for the further development of Silicon Saxony. "Of course, we want many suppliers to join us and for this ecosystem to grow. To make it even more economically viable for us." Kretschmer also warned against too much regulation in Europe. "You can see this incredible dynamism in Asia, and we can see that we have every opportunity in Europe." German politics and Europe must finally make a move.

Sustainability prospects in the semiconductor industry

Saxony's Science Minister Sebastian Gemkow (CDU), who is also in Taiwan, took part in the first Saxon-Taiwanese Science Conference in Taipei. The topic of the conference is "Sustainability perspectives in the semiconductor industry". "Saxony is the heart of the European semiconductor industry with a unique research environment for chip development, strong and diverse academic training for specialists." Gemkow said that Europe needs this cooperation in order to survive in global competition and regain more technological sovereignty.

TU Dresden Rector Ursula Staudinger also emphasized the importance of the new partnerships: "As a university of excellence, we are very happy to host the Saxony-Taiwan Science Conference in Taipei, where leading representatives from politics, science and industry will discuss the future of semiconductor manufacturing."

From exchange program to strategic partnership

According to the Ministry of Science, cooperation between Saxony and Taiwan has grown significantly in a short period of time. This includes programs such as the "Semiconductor Talent Incubation Program", exchange and mobility projects for researchers and a liaison office in Taipei. Dozens of scientists and more than 200 students have already benefited from the initiatives.