ISA, UKTI sign MoU – to build complementary semicon capabilities

The India Semiconductor Association (ISA) and the UKTI today signed a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the residence of Sir Richard Stagg, British High Commissioner in New Delhi, India.Source: ISA

The MoU was signed between B.V. Naidu, chairman, ISA and Jane Owen, director UKTI.

In attendance were the board members of the ISA, senior executives from the Indian semiconductor industry and officials from the UKTI ICT sector.

Sir Richard Stagg touched upon the long history and tradition of India-UK trade with rich social and cultural bonds, which has continued strongly with new generations of industries as the global economy has reshaped, in so small part through technology.

He said: “IT, and semiconductors, in particular, has played a key role in determining how international trade happens. It has already done much, and has the potential to do much more.

“The next phase as far as India and the UK are concerned will undoubtedly be about more collaborative efforts, building on deep strengths of each country’s semiconductor industry.”

Sir Stagg expressed his happiness that the ISA had chosen the UK as one of its three key country partners. He was especially pleased to see such enthusiastic commitment to the UKTI’s India ICT GVC (Global Value Chain) program.

The UKTI’s GVC program is a unique initiative, which matches Indian businesses with the best UK technology firms to seize new business opportunities together.

Jane Owen added, “Through the GVC program, we want to build on the complementary capabilities of our two industries to develop and implement new solutions around the big issues today and tomorrow.”

Poornima Shenoy, president, ISA, highlighted the fact that there can be areas, as well as geographic areas that can be of interest to India. The data being provided by the UKTI has also helped the Association to do enhance this aspect. “You (UKTI), have the opportunity to be the first mover,” she said.

She added: “The focus on the three verticals -- healthcare, energy and automotive from both sides is of relevance. This will bring about focus to interactions and help drive business by the respective verticals.”

B.V. Naidu, chairman, ISA, said that the UKTI is top priority for the ISA. He added: “We are really on a growth path. This year, the government of India has also set up a task force – for the India Semiconductor Vision 2020 Document. A lot of innovation and co-operation is being driven by the government of India. Companies in the UK and India can tap this opportunity in a major way.”

Full report follows later.