Good Job Boss Tan, thank u for hour effort to boost SG into world semiconductor low end chip center accountable for 11% world production.

[k1976]

https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/tiny-singapores-chip-hub-retains-big-punch-2024-06-21/


Singapore has carved out a slice of the global tech supply chain making low-end chips vital to electric cars, smartphones and more.

Its highly-productive workforce, well-developed research and manufacturing infrastructure, and sophisticated logistics have helped boost semiconductor manufacturing to 7% of GDP.

The government also supports the industry through friendly policies and tax breaks.

 

[k1976]

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-poised-dominate-market-legacy-210000278.html


Hot hot from Horse Mouth....Tiongkok unveils its ambition to be World Center for Legacy Chip few days ago...


In April, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo took the stage in the Belgian city of Leuven with a warning: “About 60% of all new ‘legacy chips’ coming into the market in the next handful of years will be produced by China,” she told reporters.

The U.S. and its allies are controlling China’s access to advanced chips used to power cutting-edge applications like AI. But much of the industry makes so-called mature chips, less sophisticated products that power household appliances, electric vehicles, and other everyday products.

 

[k1976]

Present with no comment

 

[k1976]

https://www.digitimes.com/news/a202...ufacturing-supply-chain-packaging-talent.html



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Malaysia and Singapore vie for semiconductor supremacy in SEA amid global supply chain shifts​

Joanna Gao, Taipei; Willis Ke, DIGITIMES AsiaTuesday 2 July 20240

Credit: AFP
As the global supply chain undergoes restructuring, Malaysia and Singapore have emerged as attractive destinations for semiconductor companies seeking to establish manufacturing operations in Southeast Asia (SEA). Both countries have implemented their own strategies to capitalize on this opportunity, leveraging their respective strengths to enhance their value within the semiconductor industry chain.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly emphasized that Malaysia will remain neutral and not take sides in geopolitical conflicts. Anwar believes that if businesses want to engage in trade with China, Malaysia is the top choice for setting up factories. Both the Financial Times and the New York Times have commented that Malaysia stands to benefit from the supply chain shift amid the US-China trade and tech wars.

Malaysia: Expanding beyond IC packaging and testing​

Malaysia is renowned in the semiconductor industry for its backend packaging and testing segment. According to data from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Malaysia's market share in the global chips testing and packaging market reached 13% in 2023. The country now accommodates prominent semiconductor players like Intel and Infineon.
However, Malaysia is not satisfied with just the packaging and testing market and is actively advancing into upstream areas such as IC design and advanced chip manufacturing. Recently, Malaysia proposed the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), aiming to attract more foreign investments and cultivate 60,000 high-end semiconductor professionals, with the ultimate goal of supplying advanced chips.
This strategic initiative may face the dilemma of "Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?" Should a good ecosystem be built first to attract businesses, or should businesses be attracted to invest first to create a thriving environment?
The Malaysian government's subsidy support may be limited. The Edge Malaysia pointed out that current subsidies for wafer fabs in some countries are about 30% of investment funds, but Malaysian Minister of Investment, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, admitted that Malaysia does not have such deep pockets. He said that even with only a 10% subsidy, many enterprises are still willing to set up factories in the country. Malaysia should take it step by step, first aiming at advanced packaging and IC design.
Malaysia is currently facing a serious brain drain problem. Reports indicate that many Malaysians working overseas are high-level talents, and the recent depreciation of the ringgit has worsened the situation. Amarjit Sandhu, a senior Micron executive for Malaysia and Singapore, has called for Malaysia to develop a good strategy to ensure an adequate supply of semiconductor talent. The Malaysian Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) also believes a global talent war is underway.

 

[k1976]

Singapore: Talent and connectivity as the advantages​

Singapore emphasizes its strong talent pool, stable business environment, and robust connectivity as a Southeast Asian hub.

Despite its small land area, Singapore's semiconductor manufacturing accounts for 7% of its GDP and constitutes 10% of the world market, compared to a 20% global share for equipment manufacturing. Recently, major companies such as Micron, GlobalFoundries (GF), and Applied Materials have announced plans to expand their investments in Singapore.

Applied Materials has noted that its production capacity, employment numbers, and R&D activities in Singapore will double in the next few years. Its CEO Gary Dickerson believes that despite possessing comprehensive technology, Applied Materials still needs to collaborate with various partners, affirming Singapore's innovative environment.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has acknowledged that Singapore cannot subsidize the semiconductor industry on a large scale like the US and China, nor can it participate in every aspect of the semiconductor industry. It is also difficult to squeeze into the ranks of high-end manufacturing. However, Wong believes that Singapore's greatest asset is its talent and it remains competitive in the 5G, automotive, and IoT chip markets. Moving forward, Singapore will continue to develop based on these strengths.

Nevertheless, the high cost of developing manufacturing in Singapore has become a concern. Boston Consulting Group (BCG) pointed out that the total cost of products manufactured and exported from Singapore to the US is the highest among Southeast Asian countries, 15% higher than in Malaysia.

Malaysia and Singapore have their own distinct advantages and challenges in attracting semiconductor manufacturers to set up factories. Malaysia is seeking to upgrade its industry and move upstream, but the actual implementation details of the National Semiconductor Strategy and how to attract foreign investment remain to be seen. Singapore, on the other hand, prides itself on its talent and connectivity, continuing to expand the proportion of chip manufacturing and strengthen research and development, but labor, energy, and other costs are all higher.

 

[k1976]

Tiongkok cum to steal Jiuhu-sinki lunch or jitao have Jiuhu-sinki as lunch?

 

[k1976]

And China—despite an increasing array of U.S. policies meant to constrain the country’s chip industry—could be set to dominate that market. Chinese chip production jumped 40% in the first quarter, according to government data. Mainland Chinese firms could be major players in the legacy chip market, behind Taiwan-based firms, and account for 33% of the market by 2027, predicts TrendForce, a market research firm.

Western officials in recent months have delivered a steady drumbeat of concerns over Chinese “overcapacity,” alleging that China uses state subsidies to help industries like electric vehicles and solar panels undercut their foreign competition.

But unlike EVs or renewable energy—industries that Beijing and private companies recognized as strategic opportunities early on—analysts suggest that China’s dominance of mature chips is instead a by-product of other policies. And they note U.S. pressure likely (and ironically) played a major role in fostering China’s potential success in legacy chips.

China’s goal is to eventually produce the advanced chips that can power AI or 5G mobile technology. Yet Washington’s export restrictions are stopping Chinese chip manufacturers from getting the tools they need. That means Chinese chip manufacturers are turning to the less advanced chips they can still produce.

“They have to start somewhere,” says Chim Lee, a senior Asia analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit. “You have to start with the mature nodes … then scale up the market gradually.”

 

[k1976]

Why is China investing in legacy chips?​

Legacy chips, also referred to as mature chips or mature nodes, are less advanced semiconductors used in a wide array of electronic devices, ranging from household appliances to electric vehicles. U.S. export controls define legacy chips as those larger than the “16- to 14-nanometer” generation.

Chips of that size are slightly more than a decade old. By comparison, TSMC, the world’s leading contract chip manufacturer, is set to mass produce two-nanometer chips meant for high-end electronics like Apple’s smartphones or Nvidia’s processors next year.

 

[congo9]

Slowly the cutting edge will be send to be manufactured in Singapore.

 

[JohnTan]

https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/tiny-singapores-chip-hub-retains-big-punch-2024-06-21/


Singapore has carved out a slice of the global tech supply chain making low-end chips vital to electric cars, smartphones and more.

Its highly-productive workforce, well-developed research and manufacturing infrastructure, and sophisticated logistics have helped boost semiconductor manufacturing to 7% of GDP.

The government also supports the industry through friendly policies and tax breaks.

Majulah PAP!

 

[k1976]

Majulah PAP!

REally 万民之福
年年繁荣，年年好！
GOod Job, Boss John

 

[k1976]

Slowly the cutting edge will be send to be manufactured in Singapore.

When 2008 cutting edge...becum today ahhhhh....