Taipei: Taiwan is attracting greater attention in France due to its strategic role in semiconductor production and broader economic development, as stated by Fr©d©ric Laplanche, the new director of the French Office in Taipei (BFT). Laplanche, who arrived in Taiwan on Thursday, addressed the media on his second day in the country, emphasizing Taiwan's increasing relevance on the global stage.
According to Focus Taiwan, Laplanche pointed out that the strategic significance of semiconductors has placed Taiwan firmly on the map, particularly following the shortages experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored Taiwan's crucial role in the global chip supply chains. Beyond semiconductors, Taiwan's rapid economic growth has also garnered attention in France.
Laplanche highlighted that France and the European Union are striving for greater economic sovereignty by reducing over-reliance on single sources for critical products. This approach involves collaborating with trusted partners like Taiwan to establish secure supply chains, rather than pursuing complete autonomy.
Taiwan's democratic governance and reliable industrial environment position it as a valuable partner for France and French enterprises, Laplanche stated, referring to Taiwan as an "ecosystem of trust." He expressed his intent to advance economic, technological, cultural, scientific, and people-to-people exchanges during his tenure as BFT director, emphasizing the importance of personal connections.
Laplanche's connection with Taiwan dates back to 1995, when he first visited as a student to study its democratization. He returned in 2004 to assist in establishing the European Economic and Trade Office, serving as deputy head until 2008, and later as head from 2011 to 2015. With experience as France's ambassador to Malaysia and other senior roles in the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Laplanche lightheartedly remarked on his recurring engagements with Taiwan, describing himself as a "son-in-law of Taiwan."
In his new role, Laplanche aims to further strengthen the bond between France and Taiwan, with France set to operate a pavilion at SEMICON Taiwan next week for the third consecutive year. The French Pavilion will host ten French companies, marking the largest participation in the pavilion's three-year history at the trade show.