Extremely beneficial to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and startups.
March 06, 2025, 02:27 PM
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) will invest about S$500 million to strengthen the local semiconductor ecosystem and another S$500 million to refresh its biomedical research infrastructure.
The news was delivered by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in Parliament on Wednesday (Mar. 5).
Strengthening the local semiconductor ecosystem
S$500 million will be used to establish a new National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre (NSTIC) R&D fabrication facility (R&D Fab) at JTC nanoSpace @ Tampines, which will be used to drive advanced semiconductor research and innovation.
The national facility will have an initial focus on advanced packaging technologies, which are methods of combining different semiconductor components into a single unit to make chips faster, more powerful, and more efficient.
The NSTIC (R&D Fab) will also be operating as a collaborative hub for public and private sector players, giving them access to the latest cleanroom facilities, tools, and fabrication operations. The facility will commence operations in 2027.
Beneficial for SMEs and startups
The facility will have 300mm industry-grade tools that can enable faster production and cost savings and will be used as a shared infrastructure resource.
This would be beneficial to small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups as it gives them access to crucial semiconductor infrastructure which would otherwise require considerable initial capital.
Players from different sectors, including startups and the public sector, can collaborate within the NSTIC (R&D Fab) ecosystem to carry out transnational R&D.
This will also create opportunities for startups and SMEs to be integrated into the supply chain for advanced semiconductor technologies.
Refreshing the biomedical research infrastructure
A*STAR will inject the other S$500 million to refresh its biomedical research infrastructure by extending to the greater one-north area.
The move will allow A*STAR to be located closer to key partners, including the NUHS clinical community, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration across research institutes.
Top image U-Li.sg and MTI handout
