During the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in the UAE, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien had a working session with Mr. John Neuffer, Chairman of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) to discuss cooperation in the semiconductor sector.
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that Vietnam is very interested in this field and wants to strengthen collaboration with associations and businesses to exchange information and experiences in this area.
With the goal of deepening its involvement in the global semiconductor supply chain, Vietnam hopes that SIA can support and help connect Vietnam with markets, technologies, and financial resources. Vietnam also hopes to initiate specific collaboration projects with US companies, allowing for considerations of appropriate mechanisms and policies to promote the development of the semiconductor industry.
The Semiconductor Industry Association, established in 1977, is the trade association representing the US semiconductor industry, one of the top exports of the US and a key driver of the country’s economic strength, national security, and global competitiveness.
SIA currently brings together a network of member companies accounting for 99% of US semiconductor industry revenue, with two-thirds of them being foreign semiconductor companies. SIA has actively advocated for the US to enhance its cooperation in developing the semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam.
Vietnam currently has around 6,000 engineers working in the semiconductor industry, both for domestic and foreign companies. Vietnam aims to train 50,000 high-quality engineers by 2030, with a priority on training engineers specialized in semiconductor chip design.
Prior to this, on December 7, 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Mr. John Neuffer, Chairman of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), and leaders of leading US semiconductor companies, such as Intel, Qualcomm, Ampere, ARM, for a visit and working session in Vietnam.
The Prime Minister requested SIA to urge the US to early recognize Vietnam’s market-based economic regime and eliminate unnecessary technology transfer controls.
In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in technology transfer, research, production, human resource training, establishment of laboratories, and support for Vietnamese enterprises to participate in the global semiconductor supply chain of the US. The two sides collaborated in shaping and improving the regulatory framework and policies to sustainably develop the semiconductor sector.
SIA Chairman stated that the US is experiencing a shortage of high-quality semiconductor workforce. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnamese human resources have been an important source of compensation for this shortage.
Mr. John Neuffer affirmed that Vietnam is the most attractive destination for US investors in the semiconductor sector and can play a strategic partner role in providing human resources.
Prior to this, during the working session of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh with Chairman of SIA and top leaders of US semiconductor companies in Washington, DC in September 2023, both sides agreed to promote delegations of US semiconductor companies to visit Vietnam, explore investment opportunities, and facilitate the connection between businesses from the two countries.
Chairman of SIA, John Neuffer, had two visits and working sessions in Vietnam in January and October 2023 on the occasion of the Vietnam International Innovation Exhibition and the inauguration ceremony of the National Innovation Center at Hoa Lac High-Tech Park.
