Lokesh’s Call for Semiconductor Unit in AP With Singapore Help

Vijayawada: Education, Electronics and IT minister Nara Lokesh proposed the setting up of a semiconductor device manufacturing centre or chip design unit in Andhra Pradesh with Singapore help.

On the final day of his Singapore visit, the minister met IVP Semi founder Raja Manikkam at the Shangri-La Hotel on Wednesday. Lokesh appealed to his firm to act as part suppliers to MSMEs in AP for device manufacturing, using the IVP Semi ecosystem-building expertise.

He suggested that AP, along with Tamil Nadu, take forward the regional cooperation in India's semiconductor ecosystem.

Raja Manikkam said that a decision would be taken after discussing the matter with his executives.

Lokesh met DTDS group CEO, BS Chakravarthy. He appealed to the group to support AP MSMEs in the manufacture of devices using expertise of the DTDS ecosystem. He urged them to recognise regional cooperation in India's semiconductor ecosystem and utilise AP’s services.

The minister also met Capitaland Investments CEO Sanjeev Dasgupta. Lokesh said that since CLI was prioritising sustainable investments, the data centres in Visakhapatnam could be fully powered with renewable energy through their captive power plants.

As traditional software companies were moving to tier 2 cities like Vizag, Lokesh suggested that IT/software parks and mixed development models should be considered in Vizag and Vijayawada. He sought to establish industrial warehouses/industrial parks in major industrial corridors. He also proposed to CLI to consider the issue of setting up global capability centres.

Sanjeev Dasgupta said he would discuss the proposals with company executives and take a decision.