May 8, 2019 – The nation had a headstart in entering the semiconductor foundry industry but its credentials are now in jeopardy as it has fallen behind world leaders such as the US, Taiwan, South Korea and China.
In 1986, Singapore became the second nation in the world to enter the semiconductor foundry industry. This early start was instrumental in establishing Singapore as a key semiconductor hub, generating over a dozen semiconductor fabricators each with US$1 billion or more in investment, and putting the island nation firmly on the global technology map. During this time, China, a global semiconductor power player today, did not have a single semiconductor commercial foundry facility.
The early move provided the catalyst for a rapidly emerging semiconductor ecosystem in Singapore, attracting global equipment makers, material developers, chemical manufacturers, and a range of support industries. Top civil leaders like Philip Yeo, alongside investment agencies such as Temasek and EDBI, are owed a debt of gratitude for their work in bringing this to fruition.
Now, 33 years later, Singapore’s global credentials are in jeopardy. The nation is still a respected regional semiconductor hub, but falls behind world leaders such as the US, Taiwan, South Korea, Germany and China. So how can stakeholders energise growth to launch Singapore back to the global stage?
Read more at Business Times (Opinions)
