Taiwan semiconductor association promotes industry cooperation

02/01/1997

Taiwan semiconductor association promotes industry cooperation

The newly established Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association (TSIA) will promote cooperation among Taiwan semiconductor industry participants and elevate overall competitiveness of the industry, according to Dr. Wenbin Hsu, chairman of the preparatory committee of the association.

Hsu added, "The objectives of TSIA are to provide services to the local industry and to facilitate development of the industry. It will also actively participate in international affairs. Timely information on technology development and market dynamics is one of the major services the association provides to its members."

TSIA currently registers 57 member companies with 215 representatives. Fifteen representatives from member companies were elected to form the Board of Directors. Chintay Shih, president of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), a government-sponsored research institute, said, "The Taiwan semiconductor industry has grown to the extent that diversified supporting industries and resources are essential for further development. ITRI will provide administrative and resource supports to TSIA whenever needs of the industry arise."

The establishment of the TSIA has gathered support from both the local industry and foreign institutions. Senior representatives from counterpart organizations, such as the Semiconductor Industry Association of the US, the Electronics Industry Association of Japan, and the Korean Semiconductor Industry Association, attended the TSIA`s celebration party on December 4 when the chairman of the Board of Directors was to have been elected.

The TSIA will offer a quarterly newsletter that will be available to the public, and a TSIA Home Page is under construction, according to Hsu.

Taiwan ranked as the fourth IC supplier in the global market in 1995 after the US, Japan, and Korea. The total electronics production value rose to US$39 billion, with an impressive 33.8% growth rate from the previous year. The establishment of the TSIA marks the industry`s determination of becoming an active participant in the global electronics community. -L.S.