Chip players in Singapore ride AI wave to bump up investments in semiconductor ecosystem

Applied Materials is the latest firm to expand operations in the Republic, citing similar ventures by customers

Lionel Lim
Published Fri, Jun 26, 2026 · 01:00 PM
    • UMC unveiled a new advanced fab expansion in Singapore in 2025. It is one of the many semiconductor firms that have invested in the city-state in recent years.
    • UMC unveiled a new advanced fab expansion in Singapore in 2025. It is one of the many semiconductor firms that have invested in the city-state in recent years. PHOTO: BT FILE

    [SINGAPORE] Economies such as South Korea and Taiwan may have been in the news over at least the last 18 months for benefiting from demand for hardware that powers artificial intelligence applications.

    But Singapore – like them – has also been riding the AI wave. 

    While Singapore may not have a home-grown semiconductor company equivalent to that of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co or SK Hynix, the city-state has a comprehensive semiconductor hub that is allowing it to benefit from AI-driven demand in this current semiconductor up-cycle. This has had a positive impact on both its exports and the investments it has drawn in.