TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Lithuania's government convened Monday (Nov. 18) to address electricity supply and land change issues, aiming to ensure the smooth progress of a semiconductor project with Taiwan. This meeting follows Teltonika's founder, Arvydas Paukštys, announcing last Friday (Nov. 15) the suspension of a high-tech park construction due to bureaucratic hurdles affecting over €3.5 billion (around NT$120 billion) in investments.
According to CNA, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte has urged negotiations with Paukštys, leading to a projected 2-3 year delay in the park's completion, now expected by 2032. Teltonika plans to resume the semiconductor plant's design once the Ministry of Economy finalizes the land use change. Lithuanian Economy Minister Aušrinė Armonaitė stated that coordination with 18 agencies is underway, with technical conditions confirmed and document planning in progress.
Under large investment project regulations, Teltonika must complete construction within five years. After land changes, parliamentary approval is required to extend the construction deadline. Simonyte emphasized coordination at the agency level for national projects, with potential interventions at the prime minister or committee level, including legal revisions if necessary.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has directed the prosecutor general's office to gather information and investigate to protect public interest. Teltonika, a key IoT equipment supplier and a member of Lithuania's "chip national team," signed a €14 million agreement with Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute in January 2023 for technical support in establishing 8-inch wafer semiconductor capacity.
