Belgium’s Melexis inks MOU to design Sarawak-produced circuit chips
KUCHING: Sarawak will work with a Belgium-based global supplier of microelectronic semiconductor solutions on integrated circuit (IC) design for chips produced in the state.
The state Education, Innovation and Talent Development Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Melexis Technology in Tessenderlo, Belgium, on Tuesday (July 26) to collaborate on IC design and semiconductor talent development in Sarawak.
A chip designer and solutions provider, Melexis Technology, is part of the existing XFab chips foundry at the Samajaya Free Industrial Zone in Kuching which produces chips for use in wide-ranging applications, including in cars.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who witnessed the signing, said climate change and the phasing out of combustion engines in cars would see the migration of chip design to conform to the new needs of the energy transition market.
As such, he said the collaboration was an important step in the right direction to enable Sarawak and the world to benefit from chip design development that might originate from the state in the future.
“Sarawak is looking forward to this collaboration, not only to benefit the state and Melexis, but also the world,” he said.
Abang Johari also said talent development was important to nurture robust research and development in chip design technology in Sarawak.
“As Sarawak turns towards developing an autonomous rapid transit system powered by hydrogen, research and development will be a main feature of this new form of public transport,” he added.
Abang Johari is on a week-long visit to Europe and Britain, accompanied by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan as well as Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Roland Sagah and his two deputy ministers Datuk Francis Harden and Dr Annuar Rapaee.
The Premier and his delegation then proceeded to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges where another MOU was signed for the proposed development of a new port in Kuching.