Imec announced plans to establish a regional research & development hub in Qatar in early 2026 during this week’s Mobile World Congress in Doha. Supported by the Qatar Research, Development & Innovation Council (QRDI) and Invest Qatar, the nation’s investment promotion agency, the Imec Qatar R&D hub will use Qatar’s cutting-edge infrastructure to spur innovation and technology-driven growth while acting as a regional hub to increase Imec’s presence throughout the Gulf.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations are progressively outlining their goals for advanced semiconductor development, driven by the growing demand for economic diversification, sustainability, and technological advancement.
IMEC, Invest Qatar, and QRDI struck a deal during this week’s Mobile World Congress in Doha to create a government-backed research and development center in Qatar. Imec research and development center, situated in Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), will concentrate on delivering IC-Link by imec’s chip design capabilities to Qatar and the wider Middle East while also speeding digital transformation.
For advanced technologies like silicon photonics, 3D integrated circuits, and silicon interposers, the Imec Qatar R&D hub will assist in the development of crucial design tools known as process design kits (PDKs).
It will additionally explore innovative design processes and the application of agent-based AI and generative AI in the development of custom chips (ASICs). Additionally, IMEC will concentrate on developing deep-tech innovations aimed at applications for a sustainable society and advanced AI solutions to optimize infrastructure.
In addition to R&D, IMEC will cultivate semiconductor talent through PhD projects, internships, and development programs in partnership with universities, companies, and startups in a variety of industries inside the new Imec Qatar R&D hub.
These initiatives help create a strong pipeline of semiconductor talent in the area by building on IMEC’s successful open innovation strategy. Imec’s Qatar hub plans to hire 100 workers by 2030 and will begin hiring right away. Site management, R&D, research engineering, and support roles will all be available.
Leadership Comments
“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.
“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 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.
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