https://arab.news/8n7j8
RIYADH: Semiconductor manufacturing in Saudi Arabia is to be boosted by workers from the Kingdom after Public Investment Fund-owned company Alat signed a partnership to drive localization.
Inked with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, the deal aims to support national goals for research, development, and innovation in the energy and industry sectors by developing local capabilities, while positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for the strategic semiconductor industry.
A significant global chip shortage in the past two years – sparked in part by COVID-19-related supply chain disruption – highlighted the importance of semiconductors to the global economy.
While the majority of these chips are presently produced in North America, Europe, and East Asia, recent initiatives aim to establish a resilient supply chain in the Kingdom.
Signed at LEAP 2024 in Riyadh, the partnership agreement, inked by Muneer bin Mahmoud Al-Dosouqi, president of KACST, and Amit Midha, CEO of Alat, aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals for economic growth and diversification.
Midha said: “Alat aims to enable the establishment of next generation industry in Saudi Arabia, and by partnering with a renowned institution such as KACST, with its deep expertise in advanced technologies and talent development, we will play an essential role in the creation of Saudi Arabia’s own semiconductor industry.”
The agreement with KACST will be spearheaded by Alat’s Semiconductor Business Unit, overseeing the development and manufacturing of chips in three pivotal technology segments: power, perception, and processing.
Al-Dosouqi of KACST emphasized that the strategic partnership with Alat will contribute to supporting the semiconductor ecosystem in the Kingdom, laying the foundations for designing and manufacturing semiconductors.
He further emphasized how the deal will offer sustainable industrial solutions based on clean energy sources and contribute to the development of the national workforce in targeted sectors for localizing the industry.
As part of the LEAP tech conference, KACST signed 13 local and international strategic partnerships to construct the semiconductor system, establish centers of excellence for technical development, and qualify national cadres in emerging technologies and future communications.
The governmental organization sealed deals with several firms, including Global Semiconductor Group, Cisco Saudi Arabia Limited Co., Elm Co., CiDi Auto Limited, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Co. Limited, and others.