October 29, 2004 – More than 30 local and foreign semiconductor firms based in India have formed a group in a bid to grab a greater slice of the 200 billion dollar global semiconductor pie, according to the Agence France-Presse.

The 31-member India Semiconductor Association includes global firms such as Analog Devices, Intel, and Qualcom Texas Instruments, and local giants such as Wipro.

The association said there are some 125 firms in India doing semiconductor work ranging from electronic design automation and testing to developing software. More than 70 of the firms are based in the technology hub of Bangalore.

The group aims to raise the global profile of India’s semiconductor industry, which at the moment has just about $100 million of a world semiconductor business valued at $200 billion.

“Without a home-grown semiconductor industry, India cannot become an (economic) superpower. It’s a critical engine for economic growth,” said S. Janakiraman, head of research at Mindtree Consulting, which makes chip software. “The aim is to establish India as the preferred global hub for the creation of semiconductor products,” Janakiraman said. “All 125 firms (in India) are being approached to join the organization.”