In a further boost for Oman’s nascent semiconductor sector, an international firm behind the recent unveiling of the first indigenously designed integrated chips (IC), says it now brought into operation the country’s first full-equipped IC testing lab.
GS Micro Electronics (GSME), a global leader in semiconductor and microelectronics innovation, has announced that its local affiliate GSME Oman has now put in place a modern lab facility to help drive the growth of Omani talent in this lucrative global industry.
“GSME’s state-of-the-art 2200 sq. ft lab in Muscat Oman’s office is now fully operational,” GSME Oman said in a post. “The lab is nicely equipped with the most advanced equipment needed to test and verify Integrated Circuits designed by the company. GSME is ensuring to train, empower and facilitate its Omani design team to be fully independent,” it further added.
Earlier this month, Oman took the wraps off a pair of integrated chips wholly designed by all-Omani team – a ground-breaking first for the country. Dubbed ‘Oman-1’ and ‘Oman-2’, the chips were unveiled at a grand event attended by top officials of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology as well as the Ministry of Labour.
The pair of chips were despatched to labs of the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Company in Taiwan, a global semiconductor manufacturing powerhouse, for testing and validation in preparation for their potential commercialization.
Their development in Oman represents one of the early successes of the National Programme for the Digital Economy – an initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with stakeholder ministries and government bodies.
California-based GSME is a global provider of customizable silicon design, complete manufacturing operations, and comprehensive quality services for IC design companies.
A year ago, the company’s local affiliate, the Semiconductor Development and Investment Company (SDIC), signed an agreement with the Ministry of Labour, as well as the Ministry of Transport, to support the establishment of Oman’s first project centring on the design and manufacture of semiconductors.
That yearlong effort, while paying off with the launch of Oman’s first locally designed chips, is also paving the ground for the country’s eventual break into the global semiconductor manufacturing industry, currently worth an estimated $600 billion.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
