A Strong and Growing French Economic Footprint in Taiwan
The Economic Department of the French Office in Taipei has published its new report, The French Economic Footprint in Taiwan 2026-2027. Prepared by Antoine Aubel and the Economic Department team, the study highlights the contribution of French companies to Taiwan’s economy and the growing strength of economic relations between France and Taiwan.
More than 200 French companies currently operate in Taiwan, including 32 CAC 40 groups. Together, they account for approximately 25,000 jobs and a stock of French direct investment estimated at USD 1.7 billion.
This long-standing yet rapidly expanding presence reflects Taiwan’s attractiveness as a business destination. More than a quarter of French companies have operated on the island for over 30 years, while one-third entered the Taiwanese market after 2020. Their outlook is particularly positive: 79% of the companies surveyed are optimistic about their growth in Taiwan over the next three years.
A Wide Range of French Expertise
French companies contribute to many sectors of Taiwan’s economy, including trade and distribution, information and communication technology, agriculture and food processing, engineering, energy, healthcare, finance, mobility, environmental services, luxury goods and creative industries.
The report notably showcases Alstom’s contribution to public transportation, Decathlon’s sustainable retail and sourcing operations, Air Liquide’s support for the semiconductor industry, Crédit Agricole CIB’s role in renewable-energy financing, and L’Oréal’s work in innovation, inclusion and Beauty Tech.
These companies contribute to the creation of skilled jobs, knowledge transfer, innovation and the green transition. In particular, they help address Taiwan’s growing needs in semiconductors, data centres, decarbonisation and renewable energy.
A Two-Way Economic Relationship
Trade in goods between France and Taiwan reached EUR 7.5 billion in 2025. French exports to Taiwan amounted to EUR 3.3 billion, led by transport equipment, luxury goods, and computer, electronic and optical products.
Taiwanese exports to France reached EUR 4.2 billion, with computers, electronic and optical products accounting for 55% of the total. Trade in services amounted to a further EUR 1.6 billion in 2024.
Taiwanese investment in France is also expanding rapidly. Taiwan’s investment stock in France reached EUR 3.4 billion in 2024, while all officially announced projects currently being implemented represent a total of EUR 7.5 billion.
Major initiatives include ProLogium’s next-generation battery manufacturing plant in Dunkirk and research centre in Paris-Saclay, as well as Foxconn’s investments in semiconductor packaging, artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. New partnerships are also emerging in deeptech, quantum technologies, biotechnology and green energy.
Supporting Innovation and the Green Transition
France and Taiwan share strong ambitions in innovation and decarbonisation. A EUR 50 million venture-capital fund jointly established by Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Investment Corporation and Bpifrance supports projects in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and deeptech.
French and Taiwanese partners are also working together through joint research and development programmes covering space technologies, smart manufacturing, advanced materials, biotechnology and green energy.
French companies operating in Taiwan are contributing directly to the island’s transition towards net-zero emissions. Their expertise ranges from sustainable finance and energy management to water treatment, desalination, waste management and floating solar power.
A Collective Team France Taiwan Initiative
The study is based on data collected by the French Office in Taipei through an online survey conducted between 12 February and 17 March 2026, which received responses from 79 companies.
It was prepared by Antoine Aubel and the Economic Department team at the French Office in Taipei, in collaboration with French Chamber Taiwan, La French Tech Taiwan and the Committee of French Foreign Trade Advisors in Taiwan.
The report illustrates the strong complementarity between the French and Taiwanese economies. It also highlights the many opportunities available to companies, investors and innovation ecosystems seeking to develop new partnerships between France and Taiwan.
Read the full report: “The French Economic Footprint in Taiwan 2026-2027”
