Kolkata: The city is likely to get a state-of-the-art semiconductor factory by NASDAQ-listed GlobalFoundries (GF), the world’s third-largest chipmaker company. This possibility was discussed during a meeting between US President Joe Biden and PM Narendra Modi on Sunday.
The GF factory will likely be named the GF Kolkata Power Center, initial reports suggested.
According to agency reports, both Biden and Modi praised the combined efforts to facilitate resilient, secure and sustainable semiconductor supply chains, including through creation of the Kolkata factory, which will enhance mutually beneficial linkages in research and development in chip manufacturing.
State IT department sources told TOI that last year, Webel had approached GlobalFoundries’ representatives in Kolkata and requested them to explore the setting up of a knowledge partnership for upskilling students and faculty, and a semiconductor design laboratory in collaboration.
“The US leadership of GlobalFoundries visited Webel in Oct-Nov last year. They held a number of conferences, symposiums and workshops at Calcutta University and with some other educational institutions. They also visited a few units and were apprised of Webel’s efforts in running various centres of excellence,” said a source.
In the meantime, GF acquired Tagore Tech of Kolkata last year. “Subsequently, they again visited Kolkata and scouted for space to enhance their facilities. IT Park properties were shown to them, which they liked. During follow-up interactions, they expressed their desire to make Kolkata one of their global competence centres,” an official said.
When contacted, state IT minister Babul Supriyo said it was indeed a coincidence that only last week, senior department officials were discussing semiconductors. “Kolkata has the right infrastructure for such a unit,” he said.
Semiconductors are mainly used in various types of electronic equipment for national security, new-generation telecommunications and pollution-free environment. It is also widely used in Artificial Intelligence.
(With inputs from agencies)

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