This week at the Mobile World Congress in Doha, imec, a renowned figure in nanoelectronics and digital innovation, announced plans to establish a regional research and development (R&D) center in Qatar by early 2026.
The initiative, facilitated by support from Invest Qatar and the Qatar Research, Development & Innovation (QRDI) Council, aims to foster innovation and stimulate technology-driven growth within the region.
Qatar's advanced infrastructure will serve as a pivotal resource in this endeavor, providing a platform for imec to broaden its influence across the Gulf area.
Mobile World Congress Doha
The decision to establish the R&D hub follows an agreement signed during Mobile World Congress between imec, Invest Qatar, and QRDI, with the endorsement of Qatar’s government.
Notable attendees witnessing the signing included H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the National Planning Council.
The center aims to address the growing interest of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in diversifying economies, enhancing sustainability, and advancing semiconductors.
Focus on Digital Transformation
The center will bring imec's IC-Link chip design expertise to Qatar and the broader Middle East
Set to be located in the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), imec's new R&D facility will play a vital role in enhancing digital transformation.
The center will bring imec's IC-Link chip design expertise to Qatar and the broader Middle East, with a focus on creating essential design tools for emerging technologies like silicon photonics, 3D integrated circuits, and silicon interposers.
Exploring innovative design workflows and utilizing AI in custom chip development will be core activities, alongside developing AI solutions for infrastructure optimization and deep-tech innovations for sustainable societies.
Developing Semiconductor Talent
Imec’s commitment extends to nurturing semiconductor talent through collaborations involving development programs, internships, and PhD opportunities with universities, companies, and startups.
This approach emphasizes imec’s successful model of open innovation, aiming to strengthen the semiconductor talent pool in the region. The hub intends to employ 100 people by 2030, covering roles in site management, R&D, research engineering, and support positions.
Global Expansion Strategy
Expressing enthusiasm for the venture, Luc Van den hove, imec's President and CEO, stated, “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."
He emphasized imec's commitment to supporting the transformation through technology expertise, talent development, and collaborative partnerships.
Investment Opportunities in Qatar
Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, CEO of Invest Qatar, highlighted the significance of partnering with imec, noting, “This partnership with imec is a testament to the strength of Qatar’s investment ecosystem and world-class infrastructure in attracting global industry leaders."
"Ranked first in the region for foreign investment policy and equipped with state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, Qatar is solidifying its position as a regional hub for advanced technologies and sustainable R&D investments.”
Eng. Omar Ali Al-Ansari, Secretary-General of QRDI, further added, “Partnering with imec marks an important milestone in positioning Qatar as a hub for R&D-driven innovation and a trusted node in the global technology ecosystem."
"This collaboration will strengthen local capabilities in advanced computing and AI hardware, build world-class talent, and accelerate technology transfer across research and industry. In doing so, it lays the foundation for Qatar’s emerging AI and compute focus—a cornerstone of our future competitiveness and economic diversification, in line with the Third National Development Strategy.”
At this week’s Mobile World Congress Doha, imec – a global pioneer in nanoelectronics and digital innovation – 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.
Mobile World Congress in Doha
At this week’s 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.
The signing was witnessed by H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, H.E. Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the National Planning Council.
Accelerating the digital transformation
Located in Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), imec’s research & development facility will focus on accelerating the 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.
Nurturing semiconductor talent
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.
Internationalization strategy
“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."
“As the region invests in advanced compute and energy technologies, and advanced chip design, we’re committed to supporting this transformation through deep tech expertise, regional talent development, and partnerships built on mutual respect and global collaboration,” said Luc Van den hove, imec’s President and CEO.
Strength of Qatar’s investment ecosystem
“This partnership with imec is a testament to the strength of Qatar’s investment ecosystem and world-class infrastructure in attracting global industry leaders. Ranked first in the region for foreign investment policy and equipped with state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, Qatar is solidifying its position as a regional hub for advanced technologies and sustainable R&D investments.”
“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,” added Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, CEO of Invest Qatar.
Partnering with imec
“Partnering with imec marks an important milestone in positioning Qatar as a hub for R&D-driven innovation and a trusted node in the global technology ecosystem. This collaboration will strengthen local capabilities in advanced computing and AI hardware, build world-class talent, and accelerate technology transfer across research and industry.”
“In doing so, it lays the foundation for Qatar’s emerging AI and compute focus—a cornerstone of our future competitiveness and economic diversification, in line with the Third National Development Strategy,” Eng. Omar Ali Al-Ansari, Secretary-General, Qatar Research, Development & Innovation (QRDI) Council.
