TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Belgium's largest technology delegation in years arrived in Taiwan this week, bringing more than 60 business leaders from Agoria trade group to seek partnerships in artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Agoria, part of Belgium's Federation of Enterprises, represents over 2,000 technology companies. The visit was coordinated through the Belgian Office in Taipei, which has represented Belgian interests in Taiwan since 1979.
Trade Surge Drives Historic Business Mission
Steukers said Belgian companies want to "discover more about the Taiwanese ecosystem around semiconductors, manufacturing, the startups as well, because we believe Taiwan is one of the crucial players in the AI landscape of tomorrow." He emphasized that collaboration between Belgian and Taiwanese technology companies could create "a stronger value chain" benefiting both nations' industries. The CEO stressed Belgian firms must find concrete ways to integrate into Taiwan's advanced technology networks and supply chains.
Steukers characterized Taiwan as essential rather than merely important to the emerging AI industry, calling the island "already a crucial place in the AI adventure that is starting all around us." He emphasized Belgian companies must establish strong positions within Taiwan's technology value chains to remain competitive in global markets. The CEO warned companies will face significant challenges in the rapidly evolving AI sector without forging partnerships with Taiwanese technology firms.
Belgian Officials Highlight Strengthening Ties
The Belgian delegation met with Taiwan's business community Thursday night (Nov. 27) at a networking reception held in Taipei to discuss potential collaboration opportunities. Matthieu Branders, director of the Belgian Office in Taipei, said Belgium ranks "among the most important European partners of Taiwan" in terms of economic cooperation. Branders confirmed the "trade relationship has been booming over the last few years," noting bilateral trade "has doubled" over a five-year period.
The Belgian business delegation toured major Taiwanese technology companies, including E Link, Foxconn and ASUS, as part of their comprehensive exploration of potential collaboration opportunities across multiple sectors. Steukers noted striking similarities between Taiwan and Belgium despite the significant geographic distance separating the two nations. The CEO emphasized both nations' relatively small size creates similar business challenges and opportunities, fostering a collaborative mindset among companies.
Belgian Officials Highlight Strengthening Ties
Beyond semiconductors, Belgian officials identified significant potential for bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors including life sciences, renewable energy and offshore wind technology. Branders said Belgian expertise and innovation in these emerging areas could effectively complement Taiwan's advanced manufacturing capabilities and production scale. The director emphasized "many opportunities still lying ahead" in what he characterized as critical "sectors of the future" for both economies.
Branders said Belgium actively participates in "many other sectors" beyond semiconductors, specifically highlighting "life sciences" and "renewable energy, in particular the offshore wind" as priority areas. He characterized these as critical "sectors of the future" where he believes "many opportunities still lying ahead" exist for meaningful Taiwan-Belgium collaboration. The director stressed that diversifying partnerships beyond semiconductor chips will significantly strengthen overall bilateral economic ties between the nations.
Delegation Aims to Inspire Broader Engagement
Steukers expressed strong hope that the delegation's visit would serve as a catalyst for significantly broader engagement between Belgian and Taiwanese businesses across multiple sectors. He wants each of the more than 60 company representatives to become active ambassadors for Taiwan-Belgium collaboration upon returning home to Belgium. The CEO aims to strategically leverage the delegation's firsthand Taiwan experience to attract many more Belgian companies to explore partnerships.
Steukers said he genuinely hopes "every entrepreneur that we have taken with us becomes an ambassador and tells around him for what he or she has seen" upon returning. He noted the current delegation includes "60 plus companies, but we have many more" potential participants back in Belgium interested in Taiwan. The CEO emphasized with conviction: "If they can spread the message that there is a collaboration to be found, then together, we can be really strong."
The Belgian delegation's visit underscores rapidly growing European interest in Taiwan's technology sector as intense global competition accelerates in AI development and advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Belgium's position as one of Taiwan's most important European partners reflects broader diversification trends reshaping global technology supply chains and international partnerships. The strengthening partnership demonstrates how smaller nations strategically collaborate to compete effectively in capital-intensive, high-technology industries dominated by larger powers. ◼