Singapore advances semiconductor innovation, talent and global partnerships as investments surge and ecosystem execution accelerates

This press release was jointly issued by NTUC LearningHub, SGInnovate and the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA).

• RIE2030 Semiconductor Flagship accelerates Singapore’s shift from research to industry impact, with S$800 million to drive innovation and industry collaboration 
• Partnerships with NTUC LearningHub and SGInnovate strengthen workforce capabilities and develop Singapore’s deep-tech semiconductor talent pipeline 
• Collaboration with the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) deepens international semiconductor ecosystem collaboration.

Singapore is anchoring the next phase of global semiconductor growth, as rising artificial intelligence demand, supply chain realignment and intensifying cost pressures reshape how chips are designed, built and scaled.

As one of the world’s key hubs for semiconductor manufacturing and innovation, Singapore has attracted more than S$30 billion in semiconductor investments over the past four years, strengthening its position as a critical node in the global value chain.

Central to this effort is Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 (RIE2030) plan, which commits S$37 billion to research and innovation. As part of this strategy, semiconductors have been identified as the first national RIE Flagship, the RIE Flagship in Semiconductors, supported by S$800 million in funding to strengthen research capabilities, deepen industry partnerships and accelerate the translation of innovation into commercial applications, with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) playing a key role in orchestrating research and translation efforts across the ecosystem.

This growing momentum is also gaining international interest, with over 12 global partners, including Costa Rica, India, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and Vietnam, exploring collaboration across technology and supply chains with the Singapore ecosystem.

The strategic collaborations of SSIA with NTUC LearningHub, SGInnovate and the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), will respectively strengthen workforce capabilities, expand deep-tech semiconductor talent pathways and deepen cross-border industry collaboration.

Strengthening Workforce Capabilities for the Semiconductor Industry

SSIA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NTUC LearningHub to support workforce transformation across the semiconductor ecosystem.

The partnership with NTUC LearningHub will explore initiatives to support mid-career transitions and foundational semiconductor knowledge for new entrants to the industry, while promoting industry-relevant training programmes in areas such as Agentic AI, AI-driven robotics and automation, process excellence and supply chain resilience.

The partnership also aims to support the growing demand for semiconductor engineers and technical professionals as the sector continues to expand across manufacturing, advanced packaging and emerging technologies.

Developing Singapore’s Deep-Tech Semiconductor Talent Pipeline

SSIA has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Deep Tech investor and ecosystem builder, SGInnovate, to strengthen Singapore’s deep-tech semiconductor talent pipeline and connections within the innovation ecosystem. This comes as innovations in nascent domains such as new materials and photonics advance industry capabilities, and semiconductors underpin more emerging technology sectors from new energy to AI.

The partnership will integrate initiatives such as SGInnovate’s Summation programme, which provides deep-tech apprenticeships and industry exposure for students, and PowerX, which supports mid-career professionals transitioning into specialised deep-tech roles.

Both organisations will also collaborate on ecosystem research initiatives such as the Ecosystem Readiness Level (ERL) framework to assess industry maturity, capability gaps and talent needs across emerging semiconductor technologies.

Strengthening Singapore–India Semiconductor Collaboration

SSIA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) to deepen collaboration between the Singapore and India semiconductor ecosystems.

India is rapidly expanding its semiconductor and electronics manufacturing capabilities as part of its broader strategy to strengthen global supply chain resilience and build domestic chip capabilities.

The partnership will be centered on building a robust and trusted semiconductor corridor between India and Singapore, with a focus on strengthening semiconductor supply chain partnerships, advancing technology collaboration and co-development, enabling two-way business collaboration and joint technology development, and developing a joint ecosystem study studies to identify supply chain complementarities, readiness and uncover new opportunities for collaboration between companies across both ecosystems

Together, the partnership will unlock new growth opportunities, diversify global supply chains, and accelerate innovation across the semiconductor landscape.

Together, these initiatives signal a shift from strategy to execution, linking workforce transformation, deep-tech innovation and cross-border collaboration to accelerate industry impact.

As semiconductor supply chains become more distributed and technology cycles accelerate, Singapore’s ability to orchestrate talent, innovation and global partnerships will define its next phase of growth, not just as a manufacturing hub, but as a globally connected semiconductor ecosystem.