Latvia is positioning itself to join global microchip manufacturing chains, with the Ministry of Economics expressing strong support for this initiative, according to Labs of Latvia. Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis emphasized the country’s ambition to become a regional innovation hub, aligning with Latvia’s economic growth strategy to double its economy within the next decade.
In a recent meeting with Laith Altimime, President of the international microelectronics association “SEMI Europe,” Valainis underscored Latvia’s commitment to advancing its role in microchip technology. Altimime’s visit was part of a delegation from “SEMI Europe,” aimed at exploring Latvia’s achievements in microchip technology and discussing potential collaborations.
Altimime acknowledged Latvia’s substantial advantages in higher education, research, and technical expertise, positioning it well to integrate into the microchip manufacturing ecosystem. He highlighted the sector’s vast potential, noting that it forms part of a €2.8 trillion production chain. The expected surge in demand driven by advancements in generative artificial intelligence will further increase the need for microchips and extensive data center capacities, areas where Latvia is already competitive.
“We will be your partners in implementing the semiconductor industry strategy,” Altimime affirmed, referencing the memorandum of understanding signed at the end of 2022. This agreement, involving the Ministry of Economics, the Latvian Employers’ Confederation, the University of Latvia, and several key industry players, aims to advance Latvia’s semiconductor sector.
Altimime also identified a major challenge: ensuring a sufficient supply of qualified specialists to meet the growing demands of the industry. The European Union’s Chip Act provides member states with the opportunity to establish semiconductor competence centers, enhancing the EU’s semiconductor sovereignty and self-sufficiency. Latvia is particularly well-positioned in the design and testing stages of the microchip value chain, thanks to its skilled professionals and advanced technologies.
Overall, Latvia is set to play a significant role in the global microchip market, leveraging its strengths to become a key player in this burgeoning industry.
