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Doha, November 25 (QNA) - IMEC, a world-renowned research center specializing in nanoelectronics and digital innovation, has announced plans to establish a regional research and development center in Qatar, set to launch in 2026.
The announcement followed the signing of an agreement during the MWC25 Doha conference, attended by HE Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al-Thani; HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai; and HE Secretary-General of the National Planning Council Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa.
The new center will leverage Qatar's advanced infrastructure to accelerate innovation and tech-driven development.
It will serve as a regional hub to expand IMEC's presence in the Middle East, aligning with the Gulf Cooperation Council's growing ambitions to develop the semiconductor sector amid increasing demand for economic diversification.
Under the agreement, signed by IMEC, the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar), and the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council (QRDI), with support from the Qatari government, the center will be based at Qatar Science and Technology Park.
It will focus on advancing digital transformation and transferring IMEC's global expertise, including IC-link chip design technologies, to Qatar and the broader region. It will also develop next-generation Process Design Kits (PDKs) for technologies such as silicon photonics, 3D integrated circuits, and advanced silicon interconnect solutions.
The center will explore innovative design methodologies and apply generative AI and agent-based AI in developing application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). IMEC also plans to create AI solutions to enhance infrastructure and support deep-tech innovations that contribute to building a sustainable society.
Beyond R&D, IMEC aims to nurture talent in the semiconductor field through specialized training programs, hands-on internships, and PhD support in collaboration with universities, research institutions, and startups across various sectors.
This initiative reflects IMEC's successful open innovation model, which has proven effective in cultivating high-level semiconductor expertise and strengthening scientific and research capabilities in the region.
IMEC intends to hire approximately 100 people by 2030, with recruitment starting immediately. The positions include project management, research and development, research engineering, as well as support roles.
On this occasion, CEO of IMEC Luc Van den hove stated that after expanding into several European countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, in addition to our presence in the United States and Asia, they are pleased today to welcome the center in the State of Qatar to their growing global network.
This step, he said, aims to keep pace with the growing momentum of innovation in the semiconductor sector in the region and to support the broader transformation toward a more diversified and sustainable economy.
With continued regional investment in advanced computing, energy, and chip design technologies, he affirmed, they reaffirm their commitment to contributing to this direction through their technical expertise, national talent development, and partnerships based on international collaboration and mutual respect.
For his part, CEO of the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) Sheikh Ali bin Walid Al-Thani said that the collaboration with IMEC is clear evidence of the attractiveness of Qatar's investment environment, its advanced digital infrastructure, and its great potential to attract leading global technology companies.
Thanks to Qatar's regional leadership in foreign investment policies and its world-class infrastructure, he said, the country continues to solidify its position as a regional hub for advanced technologies and sustainable R&D investments.
He added that they look forward to supporting IMEC in strengthening its presence in Qatar and expanding across the region, working together to accelerate the national innovation agenda, open new horizons for talent development, and boost investment in advanced technologies.
Secretary-General of the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council (QRDI) Engineer Omar Ali Al Ansari stated that the partnership with IMEC represents an important step in establishing Qatar as a center for innovation based on research and development, and a reliable anchor in the global technology ecosystem.
This partnership, he added, will enhance national capabilities in advanced computing and AI applications, build world-class competencies, and accelerate technology transfer between research and industry. It lays the foundation for an advanced AI and computing ecosystem in Qatar, which is a cornerstone of their future competitiveness and economic diversification, in line with the Third National Development Strategy.
IMEC is a globally leading research and innovation center in advanced semiconductor technologies. With its modern R&D infrastructure and the deep expertise of its team of over 6,000 specialists, IMEC leads innovation initiatives in system scaling, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, silicon photonics, communication technologies, and sensing solutions.
IMEC's research drives progress across a wide range of industries, including computing, healthcare, automotive, energy, entertainment, manufacturing, agri-food, and security. Through its IC-Link platform, IMEC supports companies at all stages of chip development, from concept to large-scale production, offering technical solutions that meet the highest standards of design and manufacturing. (QNA)
