At Mobile World Congress Doha, imec unveiled its plans to launch a regional research & development hub in Qatar in early 2026. Supported by Invest Qatar, the country’s investment promotion agency, and the Qatar Research, Development & Innovation Council (QRDI), the center will leverage Qatar’s state-of-the-art infrastructure to drive innovation and technology-led growth, while serving as a regional hub to expand imec’s footprint across the Gulf.

Motivated by the growing need for economic diversification, sustainability, and technological growth, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are increasingly articulating their ambitions in advanced semiconductor development.

At the Mobile World Congress in Doha, imec signed an agreement with Invest Qatar and QRDI to establish a dedicated research & development hub in Qatar supported by the government of Qatar.

Located in Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), imec’s research & development facility will focus on accelerating digital transformation and bringing IC-Link by imec’s chip design expertise to Qatar and the broader Middle East.

The regional hub will support the creation of essential design tools – known as process design kits (PDKs) – for emerging technologies like silicon photonics, 3D integrated circuits, and silicon interposers.

Additionally, it will explore innovative design workflows and the use of generative and agent-based AI in the development of custom chips (ASICs). Furthermore, imec will focus on developing advanced AI solutions to optimize infrastructure, and deep-tech innovations targeting applications for a sustainable society.

Next to R&D, imec will nurture semiconductor talent through development programs, internships, and PhD initiatives in collaboration with universities, companies, and startups, across various industries. These efforts, which builds on imec’s proven model of open innovation, contribute to establishing a robust semiconductor talent pipeline in the region.

Imec’s Qatar hub will start hiring immediately and aims to reach 100 employees by 2030. Roles will include site management, R&D, research engineering and support positions.

“After growing our footprint across Europe, the USA and Asia, we are proud to add another chapter to our internationalization strategy with the launch of our Qatar hub. With this regional hub, we aim to contribute to the region’s growing momentum in semiconductor innovation and its broader shift toward a diversified, sustainable economy,” says Luc Van den hove, imec’s president and CEO.

“This partnership with imec is a testament to the strength of Qatar’s investment ecosystem and world-class infrastructure in attracting global industry leaders. We look forward to supporting imec in deepening its footprint in Qatar and expanding in the region, while jointly accelerating our national innovation agenda and creating new opportunities for talent development and high-tech investment,” adds Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, CEO of Invest Qatar.