The US has announced its plans to invest more than USD 1 billion in the Philippines’ tech sector to double the number of semiconductor factories in the country. While the Philippines is one of the key centers in the global electronics industry chain, it does not yet have the ability to manufacture smartphone or computer chips. The country currently has 13 semiconductor factories that focus on assembly, packaging and testing.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s ASE Group has announced that it will acquire a back-end semiconductor packaging and testing factory from Infineon in Cavite, Philippines. According to ASE, the transaction amount of Infineon Technologies Manufacturing Ltd in Cavite Province, Philippines, is approximately 38.998 million euros. The acquisition is expected to be completed as early as the end of the second quarter of this year. ASE said that the packaging and testing factory in the Philippines has more than 900 employees. All employees will be retained. According to recent reports, ASE’s capital expenditure this year is expected to increase by 40% to 50% compared to last year, of which 65% will be used for packaging, especially advanced packaging.
(Sources: Voice of America; SemiMedia)
