Chip Happens! Gujarat Strikes Gold at Semi Connect 2025

Over the next three days, industry giants and government officials will chart the future of India's semiconductor landscape, forging critical alliances to propel Gujarat into a global semiconductor hub.

On the first day, a flurry of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, signifying major investments and groundbreaking collaborations.

In the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Principal Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology took centrestage, finalising agreements with top multinational corporations. Also present were Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi and Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Das, both key figures in Gujarat’s ambitious growth strategy.

One of the pivotal moments of the day was the agreement between the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and Tata Electronics (TEPL). This Financial Support Agreement (FSA) ensures substantial central government funding for a massive semiconductor fabrication unit at Dholera, backed by an eye-watering investment of Rs 91,526 crore. This move cements Gujarat’s commitment to being at the forefront of semiconductor production.

JABIL INDIA made headlines by committing Rs 1,000 crore to establish a cutting-edge silicon photonics manufacturing unit in Gujarat. The facility is poised to produce photonics transceivers, critical for AI, telecom, IoT, and smart infrastructure. This initiative is expected to generate 1,500 new jobs, signaling a promising future for skilled professionals in the sector.

In a powerful move toward talent development, Tata Electronics has partnered with IIT Gandhinagar, paving the way for advanced skill training in semiconductors.

A tripartite agreement was signed between Tata Electronics, Taiwanese semiconductor powerhouse PSMC, and Himax Technologies, a leading fabless semiconductor manufacturer, further bolstering India’s technological prowess.

Another historic milestone was marked with the foundation stone laying of Keyance Technology’s semiconductor unit in Sanand. The excitement is palpable as Keyance prepares to roll out semiconductor chips by June 2025 through a pilot manufacturing line, with full-scale production set for January 2026.

To strengthen the semiconductor supply chain, CANS has entered into a multi-year, multi-million-dollar partnership with Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Limited (AOS), a leading US-based semiconductor developer specializing in POWER MOSFETs, IGBTs, and IPMs. Strategic collaborations have been established with eight key institutions to cultivate fresh talent in the sector.

Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology (TSMT) has also joined the semiconductor boom by pledging an investment of Rs 500 crore for a new Electronics Manufacturing Service (EMS) unit in Gujarat, which is set to create 1,000 jobs, further boosting employment opportunities in the state.

Adding to the momentum, Micron Technology, already a significant player in Sanand, signed an MoU to support efforts in environmental sustainability, health and safety, STEM education, and workforce development. This underscores a commitment not only to industrial growth, but also to responsible and inclusive progress.

In another remarkable development, NextGen has announced a Rs 10,000 crore investment to establish a compound semiconductor fab and optoelectronics facility in Gujarat.

With technological expertise from Hitachi and SolidLight, this ambitious project is set to redefine India’s capabilities in semiconductor innovation.

With each passing moment at the Semi Connect Conference, Gujarat is solidifying its position as the beating heart of India’s semiconductor industry.

The flurry of high-value investments and strategic alliances signals the dawn of a new era, where Gujarat emerges not just as a production powerhouse, but as a beacon of technological advancement on the global stage.