SEMICON and SOLARCON Singapore 2009, Southeast Asia's largest exposition dedicated to semiconductor manufacturing technology, kicked off on 20 May 2009 at Suntec Singapore.

According to industry experts, local semiconductor firms are looking to new growth areas and technologies, such as Near Field Communication and photovoltaics or solar cells, to position themselves for the next growth cycle.

Addressing this in his opening speech, Manohar Khiatani, Deputy Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), said, "In the area of solar technology, Singapore is able to leverage on many of the commonalities in processing technology with semiconductor to provide high value-add and create meaningful jobs."

He added that urbanisation will drive the demand for solutions in clean energy, transportation and water. Singapore, he said, is well placed to conceptualise, co-create and test-bed new urban solutions for global markets, and serve as a living lab for companies.