SEMI, ESIA Rally Political Support for a European Semiconductor Strategy

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Seeking to explore semiconductor policy measures that can strengthen the industrial policy in the European Union, SEMI and the European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA) have successfully held a high-level roundtable event in the European Parliament under the auspices of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Bart Groothuis (Renew Europe), Oliver Schenk (European People’s Party) and Dan Nica (Socialists and Democrats Party).

The 2023 European Chips Act marked an important milestone for Europe’s semiconductor industry and overall industrial ecosystem, providing concrete measures to enhance competitiveness and technological capabilities. In order to build on the success of the Chips Act, after the roundtable, MEPs signed a joint declaration to the European Commission’s Executive Vice President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, calling for an ambitious follow-up to the Chips Act that adds new research and development (R&D) funds, attracts new investments, and increases European competitiveness.

“The creation of a new European semiconductor strategy was a focal point of the discussion today, emphasising on the increasing need to boost the technological capabilities and accelerate innovation across the European semiconductor ecosystem,” said Laith Altimime, President, SEMI Europe.

SEMI and ESIA strongly appreciate the ongoing initiatives of European policymakers, together with the progress already made to bolster the European semiconductor ecosystem. Nevertheless, considering the existing concerns and challenges of our industry raised today, the European semiconductor ecosystem requires a holistic approach that decisively supports semiconductor design and manufacturing, R&D, materials and equipment capabilities.

ESIA Vice-President Frédérique Le Grevès underlined: “Our sector sees three priorities: We need a clear European semiconductor strategy that is backed by a revised European Chips Act with more quickly advancing administrative procedures. Secondly, we must identify the right approach to trade and foreign policy leading to more resilience, and thirdly, continue our focus on fostering innovation.”

SEMI and ESIA will continue to engage with relevant policymakers and stakeholders to create a policy framework that can strengthen the entire European semiconductor supply chain while preserving technological competitiveness.