Preparing the visits to the European Commission.

One of the highlights was the visit by the SEMI European Advisory Board to Neelie Kroes, European Commission vice-president. Heinz Kundert presented her with a 300mm wafer provided by Siltronic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CnVSCv6IxA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcaS4aKeg0s

SEMI - EU paper stirs discussions at SEMICON, 10/08/2009 http://eetimes.eu/uk/220301631

SEMI Industry wants more from EC than just awareness, 09/30/2009 http://www.eetimes.eu/germany/220300484

SEMI sounds the alarm: European chip industry on the red list, 10/08/2008 http://www.eetimes.eu/210800312

The 4^th SEMI Brussels Forum concluded successfully with over 240 political influencers including 50 European Commission representatives, leaders and decision makers representing the various stakeholders from the semiconductor and related industries. Registrants include representatives from 19 countries. This year’s event focused on “Challenges and Opportunities for the European Semiconductor Industry as a Key Enabling Technology”. A follow-up event is planned end 2010/early2011.

View pictures slide show on www.tinyurl.com/4BF-pictures

The SEMI Brussels Forum is the annual EU public event to discuss about the competitiveness of the European semiconductor industry value-chain. The event is composed of several meetings of the industry with the European Commission on the first day and a plenary session on the second day. Panelists representing industry and public authorities are invited to discuss on critical issues.

This year’s event will build upon the recent EC Communication "Preparing for our future: Developing a common strategy for key enabling technologies in the EU“ {SEC(2009) 1257}

The semiconductor industry is a key contributor to European economic growth and prosperity, and an important enabler of Europe’s success in many sectors such as communications, automotive, medical equipment, security and safety. Today, no industry sector is competitive without using advanced microelectronic devices, there is no innovation without semiconductors. Semiconductors are critical to the European industry and welfare and must therefore be further prioritized on the EU agenda.

• European Commission representatives directly working or indirectly affected by the themes of Competitiveness, Innovation, Technology and Energy.
• Members and staff of the European Parliament representing regions with critical semiconductor/photovoltaic activity or manufacturing activities
• National Governments representatives and Permanent Representation offices of regions with critical semiconductor/photovoltaic activity or manufacturing activities
• Industry high-level management representatives
• Cluster representatives from the semiconductor and related technologies
• Industrial and Regional association representatives
• R&D and Universities high-level representatives
• Industry, National and EU media including written press and television

European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA)

GE Aviation Systems VDMA: The German Engineering Federation The German electrical and electronics industry