Kerala eyes global semiconductor hub status, holds high-level meeting to attract investments

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has begun efforts to position the state as a global semiconductor hub, holding a high-level meeting to discuss strategies for attracting large investments in the sector.

According to an official release here on Thursday, the meeting, chaired by State Industries and IT Minister P K Kunhalikutty, focused on leveraging Kerala's strengths as India prepares for what it described as the country's upcoming "semiconductor revolution".

"As the world moves into the next phase of technology, important discussions were held on transforming Kerala into a major semiconductor hub," the release said.


It said Kerala has "the natural resources, skilled human resources and a strong technology-driven ecosystem required for semiconductor manufacturing" and that the government aims to make the best use of these advantages to bring investments to the state.

The release said the discussions also drew on ideas that emerged at the recent Global Semiconductor Conference held in New Delhi.

The meeting reviewed how Kerala could accelerate its progress in the sector by making use of its resources and potential, following the models of countries such as Taiwan, South Korea and the United States, which are among the global leaders in semiconductor manufacturing.

"It was also decided to hold more discussions in the coming days to speed up follow-up action," the release said.

Former IAS officers Madhavan Nambiar and Aruna Sundararajan, KSIDC Chairman Balagopal, Industries Secretary A P M Mohammed Hanish, IT Secretary Sambasiva Rao and semiconductor expert M G Rajamanikyam attended the meeting, the release added.