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STMicroelectronics Inaugurates Morocco's First IC Design and Software Development Center |
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Rabat, Morocco, February 6, 2003 - The Prime Minister of Morocco, Driss Jettou, yesterday, February 5, 2003, inaugurated STMicroelectronics' new IC Design and Software Development Center in Rabat, with Pasquale Pistorio, President and CEO of STMicroelectronics, in the presence of the French and Italian ambassadors to Morocco. The decision to set up the new design center enlarges the scope of ST's presence in the country from the original back-end and test operations to include the design of highly complex silicon chips, known as System-on-Chip (SoC) devices. The mission of this latest addition to ST's worldwide network of design and application centers is to develop advanced System-on-Chip (SoC) products for Digital TV, DVD players, flat-screen displays, and digital still and video cameras. ST is confident that the emerging generation of Moroccan engineers can make an important contribution to the development of state-of-the-art silicon chips and plans to employ close to 150 designers by the end of 2004. "Complementing the long-standing success of our manufacturing facilities in the country, our latest IC Design and Software Development Center takes our relationship with the people of Morocco to a new level," said Pistorio. "We have been impressed by the skill and enthusiasm of young Moroccan engineers and are excited by both the contribution they can make to our world-beating portfolio of innovative products and technologies and the contribution that we can make in stimulating the growth of a dynamic semiconductor design industry in Morocco." The new Design Center is located within the Mohammadia School of Engineers (EMI) in Rabat, one of the longest established and best known engineering institutions in Morocco. Starting from an agreement signed in July 2001 with the Mohammed V-Agdal University, within which EMI operates, ST has supplied work experience for students, cooperated on research topics for post-graduates and endeavored to provide career opportunities for graduates. This operation will allow Morocco to retain young and talented engineers in the microelectronics arena to create an environment where engineers will be able to develop their careers and also a leading-edge industry in the country. "We believe that this initiative from STMicroelectronics, in partnership with the country's engineering schools, will allow Morocco to develop the leading-edge electronics industry that it needs. ST was the first high-tech company to install operations in Morocco and we are proud to work with them with this expansion of activities," said Omar Fassi Fihri, Delegate to the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in charge of Scientific Research. Around 20 graduates from the Mohammadia School of Engineers, in addition to another 20 from other schools in Morocco and around the world have already been recruited for the first phase of the center's development, which is initially focused on the design of integrated circuits for Digital Consumer applications, and the development of Customer Application software. "ST is a world leader in designing and manufacturing the key System-on-Chip devices that are enabling the creation of new "convergence" products that combine computing, communications, information and entertainment functions, thanks to its world-wide network of Design Centers and partnerships with leading customers, Universities and Research Institutes. We believe this new initiative in Morocco will further extend our leadership in one of the electronics industry's most exciting and promising sectors", said Philippe Geyres, Corporate Vice-President and General Manager of ST's Consumer and Microcontroller Groups, who was the initial driver of this new initiative in Morocco. The new center in Rabat is also developing and supporting application software, which can be integrated into a complete platform for the needs of ST's European customers in the mobile multimedia and set-top box markets. The scope of the new center's activities will be subsequently extended to include the development of embedded systems and application boards, with the aim of establishing world-class expertise in this field in Morocco. About STMicroelectronics STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivaled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, (IP) Intellectual Property portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2002, the Company's net revenues were $6.32 billion and net earnings were $429.4 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com. Notes for Editors ST is the largest foreign employer in Morocco and currently employs some 4,900 people in its three factories in the Casablanca region, where it has developed one of the world's most advanced automated semiconductor assembly plants. |
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