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“AMD to Invest $400 Million in Bengaluru, Strengthening India’s Semiconductor Industry”

The Entrepreneur Bytes Team July 28, 2023 58

At Semicon India 2023, tech giant AMD announces a substantial investment of $400 million over the next five years to set up its largest R&D centre in Bengaluru. The move comes as India aims to attract semiconductor players through a $10 billion subsidy program and build a robust semiconductor ecosystem. Industry leaders like AMD, Micron, Cadence, and Lam convene at the annual semiconductor conference attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, showcasing India’s efforts to establish itself as a global talent hub in the semiconductor industry.

AMD to Invest $400 Million in Bengaluru, Hiring 3,000 Engineers for Expanding R&D Center

In a major boost to India’s semiconductor industry, tech giant AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) announced on July 28, during the Semicon India 2023 event, its plans to invest a staggering $400 million in its Bengaluru facility over the next five years. The investment will support the establishment of AMD’s largest Research and Development (R&D) center in Bengaluru, with the center expected to commence operations by the end of this year. Additionally, AMD aims to bolster its workforce by adding 3,000 skilled engineers to its Bengaluru team by 2028.

Mark Papermaster, AMD’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, shared the exciting news at the Semicon India 2023, emphasizing the company’s commitment to India’s semiconductor mission. He highlighted the remarkable growth of AMD’s presence in India, commencing with just a few employees in 2001 and now employing over 6,500 professionals. The expansion of AMD’s Bengaluru facility marks the company’s continued dedication to driving innovation in India and delivering high-performance solutions that cater to customers worldwide, particularly in domains like artificial intelligence, networking, and 6G communications.

AMD’s decision to invest in India’s semiconductor landscape aligns with the country’s ambitious goal of attracting major players to establish chip fabrication and assembly plants. As part of this endeavor, India is running a $10 billion subsidy program to entice semiconductor industry leaders to set up operations within its borders.

The Semicon India 2023 event in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, saw the participation of prominent industry players like AMD, Micron, Cadence, and Lam, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also in attendance. The presence of such renowned companies and key policymakers underscores India’s determination to foster a thriving semiconductor ecosystem within the country.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing the gathering, emphasized the pivotal role of semiconductors across various sectors, ranging from farm machinery and mobile phones to cars and refrigerators. He stressed the significance of building a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem to boost India’s technological prowess and drive economic growth.

The announcement of AMD’s significant investment was met with enthusiasm and encouragement from various quarters of the Indian government. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar lauded the decision, acknowledging its potential to elevate India as a global talent hub for semiconductor design and innovation.

Recently, during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US, semiconductor giant Micron committed to investing $2.7 billion in establishing an assembly plant in India. The government has been actively striving to attract foreign players to invest in the country’s semiconductor sector, offering substantial subsidies to encourage this move. Applied Materials, a semiconductor equipment maker, also expressed its intent to invest $400 million in designing chipmaking machinery in India.

While India has made notable strides in attracting investments, there remains a challenge in attracting major foreign foundries to set up operations within the country. Advanced economies like the US, Germany, the European Union, and Japan have already launched significant subsidy programs, prompting a global race to secure a prominent position in the semiconductor market.

The theme of Semicon India 2023 is “Catalysing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem,” and it was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister of IT Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

With the commitment from AMD and the presence of other industry leaders, India’s semiconductor industry is poised for remarkable growth and transformation, as it strives to become a global powerhouse in this critical technology sector.

Sources By Agencies