Mann pitches for semiconductor R&D hub in Mohali to top chipmaker

Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday invited global chipmaker NXP Semiconductors to set up a research and development (R&D) centre in Mohali, pitching the city as an emerging electronics and innovation hub.During a meeting with NXP's executive director and country manager Maurice Geraets and head of public policy Dr Ankit Pal as part of his visit to the Netherlands, Mann explored collaboration in semiconductor design, advanced electronics and innovation-led ecosystems."Mohali is being considered as a potential location, leveraging the state's strong talent pool and growing electronics ecosystem," Mann said.The CM said the state was working towards developing a "Silicon Valley-like" ecosystem at Kalkat Bhawan in Mohali, located near the international airport and IT City.He also discussed collaboration on system design solutions and the NXP Startup Challenge Programme in partnership with Startup Punjab to support innovation and startups.Mann highlighted Punjab's automotive and auto-component base as an opportunity to develop solutions in areas such as near-field communication, advanced driver assistance systems and secure connectivity.He said the state's proximity to institutions like IIT Ropar, ISB Mohali, Plaksha University, Punjab Engineering College and Thapar Institute would ensure a strong talent pipeline.Inviting NXP leadership to visit Punjab, Mann said the govt was engaging global firms to attract investments in priority sectors. He also highlighted the Industrial and Business Development Policy 2026, under which electronics and semiconductors have been identified as thrust sectors.