In early March, India introduced permit and traceability requirements for AI platforms based on the IT rules implemented in 2023. In less than two weeks, India removed the permit requirements but still mandates large AI platform operators to meet other rules, such as labeling.
Three semiconductor projects, including one wafer fab and two ATMP/OSAT facilities, were inaugurated, marking a milestone for India on its way to building a semiconductor ecosystem
Thanks to a more flexible version of India's incentive policy and an import management system that may restrict computer imports, PC and notebook vendors are reportedly increasing their local production in India.
US-based pure-play foundry GlobalFoundries is said to be in the midst of personnel restructuring, with speculation suggesting a relocation of certain job roles from Singapore and Taiwan to India. However, the company has not officially confirmed these rumors.
Electronic devices account for over 40% of Taiwan's exports, but semiconductor products are shipped through air freight. Meanwhile, notebook PC and smartphone production lines have migrated to other regions, but are still highly dependent on chips produced in Taiwan. Thus the destinations of semiconductor exports may gradually shift to different locations.
Qualcomm inaugurated a new design center in India specializing in wireless connectivity solutions. The fabless semiconductor firm will help with 6G research in India.
India has announced several AI policies in just a few days, indicating its urgent pursuit of AI. While multinational companies have opportunities to seize infrastructure business opportunities, they may face obstacles when promoting Generative AI (GenAI).
Tata Motors released a statement announcing an MoU signed with the government of Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India, to invest INR90 billion to set up a vehicle manufacturing facility in the southern Indian state, generating up to 5,000 jobs. The investment will spread over five years.
With the technology support from PSMC, Tata's wafer foundry, the first commercial fab in over three decades, is expected to be operational by the end of 2026, according to PSMC chairman.
The shipping industry, passenger or cargo, has slowly recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels. It is worth noting that since air cargo capacities were booked up by e-commerce demand, failing to make appropriate adjustments in shipping components by air for regional production schedules may result in a breaking point in the supply chain.
Recently, India approved three proposals to set up wafer fabs and ATMP/OSAT facilities. However, India has yet to clear Tower Semiconductor's proposal, reportedly due to legal entanglements between the company and its joint venture partner.
India-based Kaynes Semicon is reportedly evaluating moving its OSAT facility from southern India to western India, as an increasing number of chip projects are looking to be established in the western state of Gujarat, potentially positioning the state as India's first chip hub.
India, which provides 20% of talent in the chip design sector, will likely experience a talent shortage as the country strives to develop a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem.
India's ASIP Technologies, which has partnered with the South Korean company APACT, has said it is close to receiving government approvals for its OSAT facility. This comes after the Indian government recently approved OSAT projects from Tata and CG Power and Industrial Solutions.
After India approved three chip projects to develop a local chipmaking ecosystem, an Indian government official disclosed the country is likely to see at least 2-3 wafer fabs and three ATMP/OSAT facilities in the coming years.