Brussels (dpa/sn) - Economics Minister Martin Dulig believes that Saxony, a semiconductor production location, can particularly benefit from the goals of the European Chip Act. "As Economics Minister, I've been campaigning for years for recognition of microelectronics as a key industry. That's why I'm very pleased that the European Chips Act is now taking shape," said the SPD politician on Monday during a visit to the Saxon cabinet in Brussels. With the right design, the Chips Act could make a significant contribution to Europe finally catching up in global competition.
The chip law aims to strengthen Europe's competitiveness and resilience in semiconductor technologies and applications. At the same time, the EU intends to expand Europe's technological leadership in this area.
Dulig said that since the war in Ukraine at the latest, Europe has needed a certain amount of sovereignty when it comes to future technologies for the energy transition, for tomorrow's mobility or for artificial intelligence (AI): "The first commitments for extensive expansions at the Dresden location show that we are on the right track Are gone." In order to be able to survive in global competition, however, Saxony needs quick and decisive decisions from the European Commission. The President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also attended the meeting in Brussels.
The European Chips Act is divided into three pillars. The first pillar is intended to enable the development of the latest chip and quantum technologies with a large-scale increase in capacity. The second pillar is intended to create a framework for promoting investment and innovation, thus ensuring the security of supply of semiconductors within the European Union. The third pillar provides for a mechanism that enables member states to monitor the supply of semiconductors and, in the event of a crisis, to use instruments to counter semiconductor shortages.
