First Omani Electronic Chips Design Sent to Taiwan for Testing, Assessing Readiness to Produce

Muscat: The Global Semiconductor Microelectronics Company (GSME Oman) today celebrated the dispatch of the first advanced electronic chips design (Oman-1, Oman-2) to the laboratories of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company.

The chips were made by Omani designers and they were sent over to the global firm for testing and verification of readiness to start a streamlined production and manufacturing.

The move constitutes part of the National Programme for Digital Economy and it was undertaken with the support of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Labour.

It is a step forward towards the implementation of an agreement concluded in June 2022 by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Labour (on one side) and Global Semiconductor Microelectronics Company (on the other side).

The agreement was aimed at establishing the first investment project in the Sultanate of Oman to design and manufacture semiconductors and advanced electronic chips, besides training Omani cadres in this field.

The dispatch ceremony was held under the auspices of Said Hamoud Al Ma’awali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. It was attended by Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, among other government officials and private sector representatives.

Dr. Ali Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology

The step assumes significance in Oman’s drive to make semiconductors and electronic chips and it demonstrates the capabilities and talents of young Omani engineers, said Dr. Ali Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology.

He added that the move paves the way for domestic and global investments in research, development and advanced chips manufacturing.

Al Shidhani pointed out that this step will promote the growth of industries related to semiconductors and electronic chips in general, and build an integrated ecosystem that supports this industry in Oman.

For his part, Farhat Jahangir, CEO of GSME Oman, affirmed that the registration of the first locally designedset of chips (Oman-1 and Oman-2) reflects a commitment from the company to promote technological growth and innovation in Oman by investing in the development of domestic talent and expertise.

The overall objective is to lay strong grounds for the establishment of a trading centre for chip design and validation in Oman, Jahangir added.

Earlier, Oman Semiconductor and Electronics Company conducted a comprehensive chip design training programme that was attended by more than 90 engineers. The programme was aimed at furnishing a stimulating environment for international and local companies to make Oman a regional home for their operations and services.

Semiconductors have certain electrical properties that enable them to serve as a cornerstone for making computers and other electronic devices. Semiconductors are a means of controlling electrical current, car computers and aircrafts, among other equipment. The total global sales revenues of semiconductors and electronic chips in 2022 stood at about $601.7 billion worldwide, up by 1.1 percent,compared to 2021 revenues ($595 billion). -ONA