KUALA LUMPUR (March 22): Unisem (M) Bhd held a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the start of construction of its new semiconductor production facility on a piece of industrial land in Gopeng, Perak.

In a statement to the bourse, Unisem said Phase 1 of the new Gopeng Plant with an aggregate built up area of about 57,000 sq m with cleanroom facilities, is expected to be completed in April 2023 at an approximate cost of RM300 million.

The semiconductor assembly and test services provider said that once completed, the Gopeng Plant will enable it to better serve the needs of customers with a broad portfolio of products and services, adding it will double the production capacity of existing operations in Ipoh.

Unisem chairman/group managing director John Chia Sin Tet said the building of this flagship facility at Gopeng reflects the view that Malaysia remains an important destination in the global semiconductor supply chain.

“The Gopeng Plant will further create more high value job opportunities for Malaysians whilst contributing to the country’s exports,” he said.

At the midday break on Tuesday (March 22), Unisem shed four sen to RM3.03, valuing it at RM4.89 billion.