SEPTEMBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK8The world's largest memory chipmaker, Samsung Electronics, said it begun work on a new semiconductor research and development (R&D) complex in South Korea. The world's largest memory chip maker said plans to invest about 20 trillion won ($15 billion) in the centre at Giheung, south of the capital Seoul, over the next six years. Samsung, which is the second largest manufacturer of computers chips, said it is keen to maintain its leadership in chip technology.The new facility will lead advanced research on next-generation devices and processes for memory and system chips, as well as development of new tech based on a long-term roadmap. "Samsung Electronics is seeking to overcome the limits of semiconductor scaling", it said in a statement. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by newly-pardoned Samsung Electronics vice-chairman Jay Y. Lee and top executives."We need to continue our tradition of investing pre-emptively and emphasizing technology", Jay said during the ceremony. Lee later met chip business employees and separately met with executives to discuss ways to secure technology to expand semiconductor leadership, Samsung said. Industry watchers see Jay's visit to the campus as a sign that the Samsung heir is dedicated to supporting the nation in tackling recent economic woes by further advancing the country's semiconductor prowess.Following his pardon, Jay said last week that he will work harder to fulfill his responsibility as a businessman and `help the economy by creating more jobs for young people'. Samsung said it plans to strengthen cooperation with domestic and foreign partners in the field of materials, parts and equipment through the construction of the R&D complex."Li Huateng said during the ceremony that the company's chip business would not exist if it did not emphasize technology and seize opportunities". This new modernistic exploration hub would be Samsung's most advanced chip research facility to date. It covers an area of 109,000 square meters and will begin running an R&D line in 2025 before rounding it off in 2028. Thereupon the ceremony, reportedly, Jay chatted with chip business employees, and separately Jay introduced to executives to discuss ways to obtain technology to widen the semiconductor leadership, Samsung said. NEWSROOMSAMSUNG AIMS TO CONSTRUCT $15 BN WORTH OF NEW CHIP RESEARCH HUBTHE NEW FACILITY WILL LEAD ADVANCED RESEARCH ON NEXT-GENERATION DEVICES AND PROCESSES FOR MEMORY AND SYSTEM CHIPS, AS WELL AS DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECH BASED ON A LONG-TERM ROADMAP
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