Government and private firms should pay more attention to the long-term development of the semiconductor industry. (Photo: VNA) HoChi Minh City (VNS/VNA) ꧒— That the integrated circuit market in Vietnamhas huge potential, but no significant action for its development has beentaken recently, is experts’ scathing verdict.
In 2013, Ho Chi MinhCity became the first locality to launch an IC development programme at a costof 7.5 trillion VND. It was expected that by2017, its IC industry would have revenues of 100-150 million USD and at leastfive electronics multinationals investing in Vietnam, trained 2,000 engineersand technicians, and incubated over 30 domestic technology firms. After the establishmentof the HCM City SemiconductorIndustry Association, many activities related to the 2013-2020 HCM City ICIndustry Development Programme were carried out, raising high hopes in theindustry. Agreements were signedbetween key agencies and the Ministry of National Defence, the HCM CityInformation and Communication Department and ICDREC (Integrated Circuit DesignResearch & Education Center) for human resource training and research anddevelopment of IC products. In 2013-17, cityauthorities allocated 68 billion VND (nearly 3 million USD) to fund 18 researchand trial production projects. Soon afterwards, manyproducts were launched with the SG-8V microchip. FollowingSG-8V1, other chips were tried in many smart products, including watches,container locks, car black boxes, and motorcycles. However, there has beennot much activity over the last three years, raising concerns that the ICindustry may fall into oblivion. Nguyen Anh Tuan,chairman of the and HCM City Semiconductor Industry Association (HSIA),admitted that implementation of the programme has faced difficulties due to anumber of reasons, including change of senior personnel. According to a report byglobal technology research and advisory company Technavio, the Vietnamesesemi-conductor market is poised to grow by almost 19 percent in 2020-24 to6.16 billion USD. Vietnam has a lot ofpotential with its population of nearly 100 million and a very young demography,a factor that is important for every industry. To ensure sustainabledevelopment and avoid direct competition with global corporations, Vietnamesemicrochip should develop into its specific that the country need and need tolink Government and businesses to promote development program, said NguyenAnh Thi, director of VNUHCM's Information Technology Park./.
VNA
