Armenia should not seek to build its own microchip factory merely to be considered a participant in the global semiconductor industry. It is far more important to identify areas where the country already has expertise and can become an indispensable partner for international companies. This was stated by SEMI Europe President Laith Altimime at the Silicon Mountains Summit & Expo 2026 in Yerevan.

In his view, these areas could include chip and electronic system design, electronic design automation (EDA) software development, and technologies related to physical, edge, and embedded artificial intelligence. “Having a semiconductor wafer fabrication plant does not in itself guarantee that a country will become a more strategically important player in terms of investment and returns,” Altimime stressed.

He pointed out that around 100 new semiconductor fabrication plants are already planned worldwide. Building another production facility would therefore not necessarily give the country a competitive advantage. In his opinion, Armenia should build on its existing microelectronics legacy and develop expertise that is in demand across the global semiconductor value chain. “You cannot do everything. You need to build on your strengths, look at where opportunities are emerging, and understand how Armenia can become more indispensable in the future,” the SEMI Europe president noted. Armenia needs to become a visible participant in the global value chain

Altimime outlined three priorities for Armenia: developing its engineering workforce, connecting research with global industry, and attracting strategic partners.

He also called on Armenian companies, universities, and educational institutions to participate more actively in SEMI Europe’s international initiatives to raise the profile of the local technology ecosystem beyond the country’s borders.

“Armenia can turn its microelectronics legacy into a competitive advantage by becoming an indispensable and reliable partner in the global semiconductor industry,” the SEMI Europe president said.

His proposed strategy therefore involves not an attempt to cover every segment of semiconductor manufacturing, but rather a focus on specific areas where Armenia can offer expertise that is in demand in the international market.