Kolkata to host India’s first national security semiconductor plant, CM Mamata lauds effort

Kolkata is set to host India’s first-ever national security semiconductor fabrication plant, following high-level discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden in Wilmington. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the announcement, highlighting the state's efforts in attracting this major investment. In a statement on social media, Banerjee expressed pride in the role played by the Bengal government in securing the international investment. "I am fortunate to share the contribution of our West Bengal Government in this historic investment decision," Banerjee wrote on X, formerly Twitter, referring to the investment by US-based semiconductor companies.

The semiconductor plant will manufacture chips for military hardware and critical telecommunications infrastructure in both India and the US. Banerjee also mentioned the announcement of a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in West Bengal, attributing it to the state’s persistent efforts to promote itself as a key destination for the semiconductor industry. "Yesterday's declaration by the Hon'ble President and the Hon'ble PM regarding the imminent setting up of a Global Capability Centre in the semiconductor sector by Global Foundries has a history of relentless promotion by the West Bengal government," she noted. Banerjee explained that since early last year, the state's IT department and Webel, a public sector undertaking, have engaged with major semiconductor companies, leading to this investment. The Chief Minister also revealed that several leading international semiconductor companies, including Global Foundries, Synopsis, and Micron, held technology symposiums in West Bengal and explored investment opportunities. The state-sponsored Global VLSI Conference 2024, held in Kolkata, saw participation from key players in the semiconductor industry, further boosting the state's profile. Banerjee signed off her post with a hopeful message: "Let West Bengal be the true destination for knowledge-based industries." The collaboration between India and the US in the semiconductor sector comes as part of broader efforts to build resilient, secure, and sustainable supply chains, with GlobalFoundries planning to establish the GF Kolkata Power Centre in the state.