TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan and Slovakia inked a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday (Sept. 3), that agreed to a second phase of deeper semiconductor cooperation.

The two countries approved a plan to continue a four-year initiative to jointly develop semiconductor technology, CNA reported. 

The Slovak government appointed the Slovak University of Technology (STUBA) and the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) to lead the project. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) will assist in establishing two semiconductor power module testing laboratories in Slovakia. 

Under the agreement, Slovak experts will travel to Taiwan for hands-on training at ITRI and complete technology transfers and authorization for semiconductor technologies.

Representative to Slovakia Lee Nan-Yang (李南陽), said the goal of Taiwan-Slovakia semiconductor cooperation is to develop inverter technology for electric vehicles, which will improve power efficiency and performance. Lee said Taiwan aims to help Slovakia integrate into the semiconductor ecosystem and supply chain, further bolstering ties between Taiwanese businesses and the European semiconductor industry.

Oliver Moravcik, president of STUBA, said Taiwan is an important partner for Europe’s chip industry development. Slovakia is learning from Taiwan’s experience to advance its capabilities, laying the groundwork for Slovakia’s integration into the EU semiconductor ecosystem, he said.

Vladimir Cambel, director of the SAS’ Institute of Electrical Engineering, said he expects the semiconductor labs established through Taiwan-Slovakia cooperation will begin operations soon.

The partnership between Taiwan and Slovakia has grown in recent years. Last June, Slovakia's Ministry of Economy sent a delegation to Taiwan. The visit resulted in multiple cooperation agreements covering various areas, including semiconductors and higher education.