Expand Vietnam investment beyond commitment, US semiconductor firm Amkor urged

U.S.-based semiconductor firm Amkor Technology, Inc. should expand Vietnam investments beyond its commitment, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Thursday.

He made the request in a meeting with president and CEO of Amkor Technology Korea Inc Ji Jong-rip following the company’s inauguration of a factory in the northern province of Bac Ninh.

PM Chinh proposed that on the basis of taking a fair share of risks and benefits, Amkor continues helping Vietnam’s semiconductor sector by providing policy recommendations, technology transfer, workforce training, infrastructure investment, research and development (R&D), and cooperation with Vietnam’s National Innovation Center (NIC).

Chinh also asked Amkor to boost its localization rate in Vietnam, conduct chip-related R&D, facilitate Vietnamese firms in joining Amkor’s global semiconductor supply chain, and improve the livelihoods of Amkor employees in the country.

He affirmed that both South Korea and the U.S. were key partners and Vietnam was looking to attract greater investments from American and Korean firms in the semiconductor industry.

Ji Jong-rip said Amkor would employ more hi-quality employees and engineers from Vietnam to work in collaboration with foreign experts. The company would also strive to build up a semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam, he added.

Amkor will continue calling on other businesses to invest in Vietnam and help the country join the company’s global ecosystem, the executive affirmed.

U.S.-based Amkor Technology Inc., a leading provider of semiconductor packaging and test services, held a grand opening Wednesday for its newest factory in the northern province of Bac Ninh.

This is its most extensive facility, covering 57 acres (23.1 hectares) at the Yen Phong 2C Industrial Park. Beginning with Advanced System in Package (SiP) and memory production, the factory will offer turnkey solutions from design to electrical testing.

Amkor has committed $1.6 billion for the project’s two phases, including $520 million in the first one to develop its most advanced facility, delivering next-generation semiconductor packaging capabilities.

Amkor's factory is the second semiconductor facility in the northern region, following the first inaugurated in September by South Korea-invested Hana Micron Vina Co., Ltd in the northern province of Bac Giang.