Taiwanese Firms Create Over 1 Lakh Jobs in Tamil Nadu as Trade Hits New Highs
Taiwanese enterprises have generated more than 1,00,000 jobs across Tamil Nadu, serving as a primary base for Taiwan's expanding economic footprint in South India, according to Stephen S C Hsu, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Chennai.
Speaking on the evolution of bilateral ties, Hsu noted that Chennai has served as an essential gateway for Taiwan's engagement with South India since the TECC was established in 2012. As of July 2026, over 350 Taiwanese companies have invested across India, generating approximately 2,18,000 jobs nationwide. Around three-quarters of these firms operate in South India, with Tamil Nadu hosting the largest share.
Bilateral trade between Taiwan and India has witnessed rapid expansion alongside these investments. Total trade grew from $10.6 billion in 2024 to a record $12.5 billion in 2025. The upward trajectory continued through the first half of 2026, with trade volumes reaching $8.6 billion between January and June 2026—a 43 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025, putting the annual total on track for another record.
While Taiwanese investments have traditionally clustered around Chennai and Sriperumbudur due to existing industrial networks, Hsu noted that efforts are underway to expand into southern Tamil Nadu. A recent fact-finding delegation visited Tirunelveli and Tuticorin, evaluating infrastructure at SIPCOT industrial parks and the VOC Port. The mission identified potential openings in green energy, electric vehicles, electronics, logistics, and specialised manufacturing.
Hsu stated that southern districts could drive the next wave of Taiwan-linked manufacturing growth, provided they offer reliable infrastructure, industrial land, water, power, logistics connectivity, and skilled workers. The partnership is also shifting beyond general assembly into deeper supply-chain integration, particularly across semiconductors, electronics, precision engineering, and automation.
To guide this next phase, Hsu proposed the framework of "Design from Taiwan, Make in Tamil Nadu" for the coming decade. He advocated moving beyond business-to-business cooperation toward broader ecosystem-to-ecosystem linkages that connect universities, industry associations, and small-and-medium enterprises from both regions.
