The event, co-organized by the ETCC and Lisbon-based KGSA Law Firm, brought together industry executives, policymakers, and academics to assess Portugal’s emerging role in the global tech supply chain.
Speakers at the conference – held on May 17th – highlighted Portugal’s renewable energy resources, geographic positioning, and engineering talent pool as factors that could support its expansion into semiconductor manufacturing and AI development.
Former Portuguese Economy Minister António Costa Silva noted the country’s growing capabilities in chip design and assembly, while Rita Lourenço of industry group PortugalDC cited over 120 organizations now involved in the country’s data center sector.
The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) expressed interest in deepening collaboration, with its Barcelona office director Tony Liu stating that Portugal’s EU membership and tech ecosystem make it a viable partner.
ETCC President Den Shyan Chuang described the event as a “historic moment” for bilateral tech ties but acknowledged that Portugal has no official diplomatic representation in Taiwan. Gonçalo Simões de Almeida, Partner at KGSA Law Firm suggested Portugal should “redefine its future role” in the industry.
“Portugal has what it takes to become a world leader, and it’s time to wake up. We must embrace the responsibility of shaping a better future”, noted Simões de Almeida
From left to right: Gonçalo Abreu, founder of KGSA; Johnson Hsiung, founder of Bluechip Infotech and president-elect of the 32nd World Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce; Professor Marcelino Santos, founder of SiliconGate; and Luis Miguel Silveira, Vice-Rector of ULisboa (University of Lisbon).
Start Campus, a data center developer, announced plans to invest €8.5 billion in its SINES facility, positioning it as a hub for AI-related computing. Meanwhile, Portugal’s state-backed Banco Português de Fomento outlined financing options for tech projects.
The discussions come as both Taiwan and Portugal seek to diversify their tech supply chains amid global semiconductor competition.
