ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday launched a national semiconductor training program to develop chip-design expertise and reduce dependence on foreign technology, with officials saying the country also plans to work closely with Saudi Arabia’s semiconductor industry.
The five-year INSPIRE Initiative, valued at Rs 4.8 billion ($17.2 million), aims to train around 3,200 young professionals and establish nine university clusters and six state-of-the-art integrated-circuit laboratories.
Officials said the program will bridge academia, industry and the public sector to build the foundations of Pakistan’s semiconductor ecosystem.
“We have launched two programs,” said Dr. Naveed Shirwani, head of the country’s semiconductor task force. “One will make it easier for Pakistani companies to do business in Saudi Arabia without spending any money, and the other connects our young talent with Saudi semiconductor firms.”
“The National Semiconductor Hub of Saudi Arabia has declared Pakistan its first spoke, linking the two countries to work together,” he added.
