As global enterprises reevaluate their supply chain strategies, Taiwan’s technology manufacturing sector entering Europe involves more than just exporting products—it encompasses long-term challenges such as establishing production bases, acquiring talent, forming technical partnerships, and delivering localized market services.Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che led a municipal delegation and business representatives on a business visit to Poland’s Pomeranian Voivodeship, focusing on artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, unmanned vehicles, and smart manufacturing. The Taiwan-Poland Business Association served as a private-sector bridge, assisting the Tainan City Government and Taiwanese enterprises in connecting with Polish local governments, investment institutions, and technology industry partners.While this visit appeared to be a city-to-city exchange, its true objective was securing the next foothold for Taiwanese businesses in Poland, Central and Eastern Europe, and the broader EU market.Dr. Chao Chung-chieh (far right), Chairman of the Taiwan-Poland Business Association, Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (far left), and Leszek Bonna, Deputy Governor of Pomeranian Voivodeship (center), pose for a photo. (Photo courtesy of Taiwan-Poland Business Association)How City Diplomacy Translates into Business OrdersDr. Chao Chung-chieh, Chairman of the Taiwan-Poland Business Association, stated that the association has long cultivated political and business networks between Taiwan and Poland. Leveraging existing connections and industrial resources, the association facilitated direct engagement between the Tainan delegation and Polish government officials, investment promotion agencies, and industry partners—aiming to convert the visit into tangible outcomes such as technical collaborations, investment plans, and long-term commercial achievements.During the visit, the delegation met with key officials including Deputy Governor Leszek Bonna of Pomerania, Gdańsk Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Deputy Mayor Tomasz Augustyniak of Gdynia, and Eliza Czydlowska, State Secretary of Poland’s Ministry of State Assets. Discussions covered urban cooperation, technology industries, investment environments, and market expansion.The Taiwan-Poland Business Association also arranged meetings with Rumia Invest Park, InvestGDA, the Pomeranian Regional Development Agency, and Gdynia’s investment promotion office to gain deeper insights into local technology parks, industrial clusters, engineering talent, logistics infrastructure, and investment needs.For businesses, such information is often more practical than a mere cooperation agreement. The success of overseas investment depends not only on product and technological competitiveness but also on regulatory frameworks, talent availability, supply chain resilience, and the ability of local governments to provide comprehensive support.Dr. Chao Chung-chieh (left), Tainan City Government Economic Development Bureau Director Chang Ting-yuan (center), and Sławomir Kosakowski, Director of the Pomeranian Development Agency (right), jointly signed the Memorandum of Cooperation for the Preparatory Phase of the Taiwan-Poland AI Robotics Alliance. (Photo courtesy of Taiwan-Poland Business Association)Supply Chain Opportunities Behind HEXA 300One of the most notable highlights of the visit was the demonstration of HEXA 300, a heavy-duty unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) developed by Polish defense technology company Terra Robotics.Featuring a tracked design, the vehicle can carry up to 300 kilograms and perform missions such as logistics transport, equipment deployment, reconnaissance support, and specialized operations in complex terrains and high-risk environments. Through live demonstrations and technical briefings, the delegation gained insights into Poland’s R&D achievements in robotics, unmanned systems, and defense technology.However, for Taiwanese enterprises, the real opportunity lies not in the vehicle itself, but in the comprehensive supply chain it represents.An unmanned ground vehicle integrates semiconductors, sensors, communication modules, control systems, motors, precision components, and software integration—areas where Tainan and Taiwan’s technology manufacturing sector have long-standing expertise.Dr. Chao pointed out that Tainan possesses strong industrial foundations in semiconductors, precision machinery, aerospace, automation, and smart manufacturing, while Pomerania offers port logistics, engineering talent, high-tech industrial clusters, and geographic access to the EU market.If both sides can evolve from component supply to joint R&D, local assembly, and market services, their collaboration could upgrade from simple exports to a transnational industrial chain.The Next Challenge in Smart Manufacturing: TalentThe delegation also visited an industrial robotics programming center, where Mayor Huang and Dr. Chao personally experienced VR-based spot welding training, operating industrial welding processes through immersive simulation systems.This activity highlighted another bottleneck in smart manufacturing. Even with the adoption of robots and automation equipment, companies still require personnel skilled in programming, equipment operation, and process integration.VR training enables the simulation of welding procedures and operational scenarios without occupying production equipment, reducing training risks and shortening the time required to cultivate skilled technicians.For Taiwan’s manufacturing sector, which faces labor shortages and skill gaps, future Taiwan-Poland cooperation could extend beyond equipment and components to include talent training, technical certification, and industry-academia collaboration.Group photo of key officials, industry representatives, and distinguished guests from both Taiwan and Poland. (Photo courtesy of Taiwan-Poland Association)From Alliance Preparatory Office to Industrial ParkAnother concrete outcome of the visit was the joint initiative by the Taiwan-Poland Business Association, Tainan City Government, and Polish investment promotion agencies to establish the preparatory office for the Taiwan-Poland AI Robotics Alliance.Dr. Chao, Director Chang Ting-yuan, and Director Sławomir Kosakowski jointly signed the preparatory cooperation memorandum and held an unveiling ceremony.The preparatory office will serve as a collaboration platform among governments, enterprises, research institutions, and industry partners, focusing on artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, smart manufacturing, and unmanned vehicles.The Taiwan-Poland Business Association is also advancing plans for a Taiwan-Poland AI Smart Industrial Park, aiming to integrate Taiwan’s technological, manufacturing, and supply chain capabilities with Poland’s land, talent, logistics, and European market access—lowering the barriers for Taiwanese enterprises entering Central and Eastern Europe.The Real Test Begins After the UnveilingFor Taiwanese enterprises, the greatest challenge in entering the European market is often not securing the first order, but finding reliable local partners, acquiring suitable talent, complying with EU regulations, and establishing after-sales service and sustainable operational models.The Taiwan-Poland Business Association’s next mission is to transform government exchanges and cooperation memorandums into enterprise matchmaking, joint R&D, talent development, and actual investments.The success of this visit will ultimately not be measured by the number of officials met or ceremonies completed, but by whether the first进驻 enterprises, the first joint technology, and the first fully operational Taiwan-Poland supply chain emerge in the future.