The federal government has decided to introduce the country’s first semiconductor policy for chip manufacturing at the local level, under which the chips in all electronic devices will be manufactured locally.
According to the Ministry of Information Technology officials, attractive incentives for investors are also part of the policy, projects such as smart chip for national identity cards and passports will be able to start. While financial support will be provided to investors in semiconductor design and research.
According to officials, semiconductor manufacturing companies will get grants and incentives, duty will be exempted on equipment and machinery for the production of semiconductors, while a National Semiconductor Fund of Rs10 billion should be established.
The Semiconductors Policy will be the central mechanism for simplification of government processes for new and existing companies. A national record will be established to protect IP. While a grant up to Rs 1 crore will be given per start-up.
According to officials, the registration of semiconductor companies will be simplified and fees will be reduced, 30,000 people will be skilled in the semiconductor sector by 2030, 55 start-ups will be promoted by 2030 and 70 by 2045.
Under the policy, 10 foreign chip design centers will be supported in 6 years, a target of 5 percent indigenous chip design by 2030 and 15 percent by 2035 has been set.
