You’re likely using more than 150 integrated circuit (IC) chips daily via your smartphone, and the demand for these chips is only going to rise in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. With the semiconductor market expected to become a USD 1 trillion industry by the end of this decade, Bangladesh has a unique opportunity to develop as a semiconductor packaging hub. While IC chip fabrication may be out of reach for now, IC chip packaging, assembly, and testing – a highly complex and valuable process – is a technologically less demanding and labor-intensive segment that can be explored. With its young workforce, solid experience in managing export-oriented industries, and attractive labor costs, Bangladesh can position itself to attract foreign direct investment and become a key player in the global semiconductor manufacturing sector.
The Growing Demand for Semiconductors
The semiconductor industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by the increasing demand for integrated circuit (IC) chips. As you go about your daily life, you’re likely using more than 150 IC chips, thanks to your smartphone. In fact, in 2020, over 932 billion chips were produced worldwide, which translates to more than 116 chips per person.
The Increasing Need for IC Chips
Chips are the backbone of modern electronic devices, and their demand is increasing exponentially. From smartphones to laptops, and from smart homes to autonomous vehicles, IC chips are the crucial components that power these devices.
Need for IC chips is driven by the rapid growth of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, 5G, and the Internet of Things (IoT). As these technologies become more pervasive, the demand for semiconductors will continue to surge. In fact, the global semiconductor market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.5 percent from 2021 to 2030. This presents a tremendous opportunity for countries like Bangladesh to tap into this growing demand and establish themselves as a semiconductor packaging hub.
The Complexity of Semiconductor Manufacturing
Clearly, the process of creating semiconductor chips is an intricate and multifaceted one, involving several stages that require cutting-edge technology, specialized expertise, and significant investment.
The Major Steps in Semiconductor Manufacturing
Semiconductor manufacturing involves several critical steps, including IC chip design, silicon wafer production, IC chip fabrication, IC chip packaging, assembly and testing, and finally, integration into commercial products.
The Challenges of IC Chip Fabrication
On the front end of semiconductor manufacturing lies IC chip fabrication, a highly sophisticated process that demands massive capital investment, advanced research and development, and highly skilled engineers and scientists.
The challenges of IC chip fabrication are daunting, to say the least. The process involves creating microscopic patterns on silicon wafers, which requires extreme precision and control. Moreover, the fabrication process is highly susceptible to contamination, which can render the entire batch of chips useless. As a result, only a handful of companies worldwide, such as TSMC, Intel, and Samsung, have mastered this complex process.
Note: I’ve highlighted the most important and challenging aspects of IC chip fabrication using `` tags. Let me know if you need any further assistance!
The Opportunity for Bangladesh in IC Chip Packaging.
The Back-End Process: Packaging, Assembly, and Testing
With the IC chip fabrication process being highly capital-intensive and technologically demanding, Bangladesh can focus on the back-end process, which includes packaging, assembly, and testing. This stage is crucial in securing the fragile IC chip in a package that provides protection against mechanical, thermal, and chemical damage.
The Importance of Packaging in Semiconductor Manufacturing
Bangladesh has a unique opportunity to tap into the growing demand for IC chip packaging, which is a critical component of the semiconductor manufacturing process. Packaging adds significant value to the chip, and its importance cannot be overstated.
Opportunity knocks when you consider that the Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) services market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.5 percent, from $37.95 billion in 2021 to an estimated $72.90 billion in 2030. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for IC chips in various industries, including automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics.
By positioning itself as a hub for IC chip packaging, Bangladesh can attract foreign direct investment, create jobs, and diversify its economy. The country’s young workforce, cheap labor, and experience in managing export-oriented industries make it an attractive destination for investors. With the right policies and incentives in place, Bangladesh can unlock its potential and become a significant player in the global semiconductor industry.
The Advantages of Bangladesh as a Semiconductor Packaging Hub
All eyes are on Bangladesh as a potential semiconductor packaging hub, and for good reason. The country boasts several advantages that make it an attractive destination for investors and entrepreneurs alike.
Cheap Labour and a Young Workforce
Any country looking to establish a strong presence in the semiconductor packaging industry needs to consider labor costs. Bangladesh has a significant advantage in this regard, with a large pool of young and relatively inexpensive labor. This demographic dividend can be leveraged to drive growth in the sector.
Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Export-Oriented Industry Experience
Young minds are being shaped in Bangladesh’s higher education institutions, which are increasingly focusing on quality assurance. This effort will help ensure a steady supply of skilled engineers and scientists, critical for the semiconductor packaging industry. Additionally, Bangladesh’s experience in managing export-oriented industries in other sectors will come in handy when dealing with the complexities of semiconductor packaging.
For instance, the country’s textile industry has been a significant contributor to its economy, with many factories exporting garments to global markets. This experience in managing large-scale manufacturing operations will be valuable in setting up semiconductor packaging facilities. Moreover, the quality assurance measures implemented in higher education will help build confidence among investors and entrepreneurs looking to set up shop in Bangladesh.
The Shift of IC Packaging to New Regions
Despite the dominance of traditional semiconductor manufacturing hubs, the industry is undergoing a significant shift towards new regions. This shift is driven by factors such as rising labor costs, changing geopolitical scenarios, and the need for diversification.
Bangladesh’s Potential in Attracting FDI and Local Entrepreneurs
Unlike many other countries, Bangladesh has a unique opportunity to position itself as a semiconductor packaging hub, leveraging its advantages in labor costs, young workforce, and solid experience in managing export-oriented industries.
As the global semiconductor industry continues to grow, Bangladesh can attract foreign direct investment (FDI) by providing attractive incentives and ensuring ease of doing business. This requires consideration and solicitation at the highest level.
Providing Attractive Incentives and Ensuring Ease of Doing Business
Ensuring a business-friendly environment, Bangladesh can offer competitive tax rates, subsidies, and other benefits to attract prominent international players in the semiconductor packaging industry. By streamlining regulatory processes and reducing bureaucratic hurdles, the country can make it easier for foreign investors to set up operations and thrive.
Opportunities for Local Entrepreneurs in Simpler IC Packaging Products
Bangladesh’s local entrepreneurs can capitalize on the growing demand for simpler IC packaging products, which require smaller investments. With established packaging manufacturers focusing on advanced solutions, there is a gap in the market for smaller players to produce simpler products, such as those based on surface-mount technology (SMT) or quad-flat no-lead (QFN) packages.
Business opportunities abound in this space, as local entrepreneurs can target specific niches and cater to the needs of smaller customers. By doing so, they can establish themselves as reliable suppliers and gradually move up the value chain. This approach can help Bangladesh develop a robust semiconductor packaging ecosystem, driven by both foreign investment and local entrepreneurship.
