Britain Joins European Union Efforts To Develop Advanced Semiconductor Chips

Britain announced joining the European Union's efforts to develop and produce advanced semiconductors in Europe. (photo: dock. pexels)

JAKARTA - Britain announced joining the European Union's efforts to develop and produce advanced semiconductors in Europe. Britain promises 35 million (around Rp 663 billion) in research and innovation funds worth 1.3 billion euros (around Rp 19.7 trillion).

Both Britain and the European Union are trying to secure the domestic semiconductor supply chain. This comes after the COVID-19 pandemic showed their dependence on global chipmakers and key technologies owned by Chinese and US companies.

By joining European chip initiatives, British companies in the semiconductor sector can apply for grants from larger European funds.

Semiconductors are widely used and increasingly needed in everyday devices, fueling a global subsidy race to attract manufacturers and develop new technologies.

The European Commission last January submitted a plan package aimed at improving economic security and preventing unwanted technology transfers to competitors such as China.

Last year, the European Union passed a subsidy program worth 43 billion euros, similar to incentive packages in China, the United States, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.

Last year, Britain rejoined Horizon Europe's science program. This is the EU's main funding scheme for various types of research and innovation that manage semiconductor initiatives and have an overall budget of 95.5 billion euros. Britain was initially blocked from participating in Horizon due to disputes over post-Brexit trade rules.