NEW DELHI: This is seen as a major move forward for the country's 200 major hardware companies including big names like HCL, Wipro, Texas Instruments and Cadence who have been selling their designs as intellectual properties. The Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) and Singapore's Infocom Development Authority (IDA) are in talks with the Indian hardware industry body, Manufacturers' Association of Information Technology (MAIT), to boost cooperation. "They have invited India's high-end design companies to set up shop in their silicon facilities," said Vinnie Mehta, executive director of MAIT. So far India has been perceived as a software-exporting nation. High-end hardware designs have always been clubbed with the country's total software exports. According to MAIT, India exports about a billion dollar worth of intellectual property rights to the international markets. Mehta told IANS: "We are already in talks with Singapore IDA to promote Indian high-end hardware designs for the country's upcoming semiconductor facility." Singapore IDA in a strategic alliance with India would also be promoting the indigenous "Simputer" to global markets. DSO, part of Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority, is expected to have roadshows in India early next year to invite Indian high-end hardware design companies export and invest in the country. DSO has already set up semiconductor complex to invite silicon foundries worldwide to invest and produce various kinds of silicon wafers like dynamic RAM, application-specific integrated circuits, microprocessors and digital signal processors. It has attracted a total investment worth $1.7 billion with $1.3 billion from Communicant Semiconductor Technologies AG of Frankfurt. The country now wants Indian high-end design suppliers to set shop and help Dubai manufacture next generation silicon wafers, said Mehta.
Source: IANS