OREANDA-NEWS. August 17, 2011. Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) announced that it has established a semiconductor design house, STI Semiconductor Design Brasil Ltda., as a joint venture (JV) with Semp Toshiba Informatica Ltda. (STIL), a Brazilian Toshiba affiliate, reported the press-centre of Toshiba.

The JV is based on the memorandum of understanding signed on December 3 last year, under the framework for reinforcing cooperation in economic and industrial development between the Brazilian and Japanese governments, including the cultivation of a Brazilian semiconductor industry.

Mr. Afonso Antonio Hennel, the president of STIL, will serve as the president of STI Semiconductor Design Brasil Ltda., which will be capitalized at USD 4 million and 70% owned by STIL and 30% by Toshiba. The new company will initially design radio frequency ICs, widely used devices that are expected to see demand growth in Brazil.

Background
In April 2006, the Japanese and Brazilian governments signed a memorandum of understanding on the introduction of an ISDB-T-based digital television system in Brazil, and the enhancement of the Brazilian electric and electronics industry in relation to the television system. Establishment of the semiconductor design house in Brazil is part of this initiative.