Spain is not exactly famous for its presence in the chipmaking business. But it wants to be, declaring at the WEF’s Davos conflab that the government has set aside out of an electronics-focused budget of €12bn some €9bn to help get local fabs built and, in principle, reduce both the country’s and Europe’s dependence on Far Eastern and US suppliers.
According to news agency CE Noticias Financieras, economy minister Nadia Calviño, who was standing in for Pedro Sanchez at home while the Spanish prime minister was in the Swiss resort, claimed the Spanish government has made "preliminary contacts" with operators in different sectors.
There is one obvious issue, if the Spanish government wants at least one 5nm-capable fab €9bn does not go very far. It would give the country the ability, should EU subsidy rules allow, to go 50/50 with a willing partner, which does provide a more realistic number. But even, that is pretty much just one advanced, but...