Pedro Sánchez announces the first 100 million euros to set up a leading European semiconductor manufacturing centre in Spain

Leuven (Belgium)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, together with the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo, and the Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, Óscar López, visited the headquarters of IMEC (Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre), a company located in Leuven (Belgium), a leader in research and development of nanoelectronics and digital technologies. "There is no doubt about the potential of a similar infrastructure in Spain," said the president after the visit.

The future IMEC project in Malaga, the first to be built outside Belgium, is an example of cooperation between Spain and Belgium in the field of research and development. This is truly a European project, in one of the most strategic sectors. In this regard, Pedro Sánchez thanked the Belgian prime minister for his cooperation from the beginning.

The first 100 million euros to fund the initial design and start-up of the 'sister' research facility in Spain have already been allocated, the president announced. A step forwards, he said, in making IMEC "a long-term partner for our science system."

The research infrastructure in Malaga, which is at the forefront of Europe, is a major step forward for Spain. Our semiconductor ecosystem will be at the "next level," Sanchez explained. The business community will benefit from the possibility of transferring ideas conceived in the laboratory to the manufacturing stage.

IMEC President and CEO Luc Van den Hove guides the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo, during the visit to IMEC headquarters | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The project represents an important milestone in advancing the open strategic autonomy for Spain and Europe, which will boost the semiconductor industry by leveraging the competitive strengths of the Spanish scientific system.

Semiconductors are key to an important range of industrial value chains with a strong presence in Spain, such as the automotive sector, or essential devices for the ecological transition.

Spain is committed to the development of the industrial and knowledge ecosystem in microelectronics through the specialised PERTE Chip programme, financed by NextGenerationEU Funds.

This project demonstrates the Government of Spain's firm commitment to research and development as a driver of economic growth and competitiveness. The Government has increased R&D investment funding to the highest levels in our history. Public research organisations have gone from an annual average of 1.15 billion euros in funding between 2012 and 2017; to 1.995 billion euros between 2021 and 2023. Competitive funding for research, development and innovation has increased 73% in the last three years.

Non official translation