Xenites Group to invest Rs 1500 cr in its chip fabrication unit

Kolkata, Aug 3 (UNI) A chip fabrication unit will soon come up in West Bengal with a proposed investment of Rs 1500 crore in the first phase by a joint venture of Kolkata-based Xenites group and a Taiwanese semiconductor major.

Xenites Group Chairman Shantanu Ghosh told UNI today that they were on the lookout for a Taiwanese partner and the tie-up might be an amalgation of marketing, technology and equity.

'' We are preparing the project report. The unit is likely to be set up in Hoogly district, '' he added.

The total investment in the first phase of development would be around Rs 1500 crore.

The factory would be spread over 250 acre, preferably in the Hooghly district.

When contacted state Industry Secretary Sabyasachi Sen told UNI that a primary project report had been submitted.

'' We are yet to receive a detailed project report. The state government wants the semi-conductor industry to grow in the state.

We will provide our support in every possible way, '' Mr Sen said.

The project would also get assistance from the Union government under specific schemes.

'' We will create a workable package for a high-end project like this to start, '' said Mr Sen.

But he refused to comment on whether the state government, which besides ensuring land, water, electricity, and other logistics support would be an equity partner in the project.

In the semiconductor business, chip fabrication is the last stage, when the silicon wafer is sized into multiple chips. It is a highly capital-intensive business, with the best of infrastructure, logistics, and technology required for success.

UNI JYN SJC RN1622