Asia/Pacific

02/01/1997

Asia/Pacific

The US Trade Representative`s office has finalized an Information Technology Agreement (ITA) during the first meetings of the World Trade Organization in Singapore. The ITA will eliminate tariffs on information technology products including semiconductor, semiconductor equipment, and parts among all producing countries by the year 2000. Building on the endorsement reached by the leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Manila, the ITA sets the major trading countries on a course to bolster electronic commerce covering up to $500 billion in global trade.

The Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association (TSIA) was established to promote cooperation among Taiwan semiconductor industry participants and to elevate overall competitiveness of the industry. The TSIA will provide services to the local industry and to facilitate development of the industry. It will also actively participate in international affairs. TSIA currently registers 57 member companies with 215 representatives.

Hong Kong Awards for Industry. The 1996 Hong Kong Award for Industry went to several semiconductor companies. KRAS Asia Ltd., a maker of semiconductor assembly equipment solutions, won the award for machinery and equipment design for developing the KRAS Semi TT-MGP and APL, which is a manual gang pot mold with automatic pellet loading. QPL International Holdings Ltd., won the award for quality for its implementation and commitment to total quality management.