The integrated circuit industry welcomes the blockbuster New Deal, where is the new?
"The document involves finance and taxation, investment and financing, research and development, import and export, talents, intellectual property, market applications, international cooperation and other aspects. It has made arrangements for all links of the integrated circuit ecological chain. There is no doubt that its introduction is correct The development of the integrated circuit industry is of great significance." Speaking of "Document 8", Wei Shaojun, chairman of the IC Design Branch of the China Semiconductor Industry Association and a professor at Tsinghua University, commented.
On August 4, the State Council issued the "Several Policies to Promote the High-quality Development of the Integrated Circuit Industry and Software Industry in the New Era" (hereinafter referred to as "Several Policies"). This latest policy package is called "Document 8" in the industry.
From "Circular 18" ("Certain Policies to Encourage the Development of Software Industry and Integrated Circuit Industry") issued in 2000 to "Circular 4" ("Certain Policies to Further Encourage the Development of Software Industry and Integrated Circuit Industry") issued in 2011 "), to today's "Document 8", in Wei Shaojun's view, this reflects the continuity of the policy, reflects the country's determination and strength to vigorously develop the integrated circuit industry, and also gives enterprises "reassurance."
Taxation and investment and financing support make practitioners look forward to
"The 10-year tax exemption policy for integrated circuit manufacturers or projects is a major policy benefit. This kind of support is unprecedented in history and will have a significant impact on the development of the semiconductor industry in the next 10 years." Founding partner of China Science and Technology Star Ren Mi Lei talked about the "fiscal and tax policy" straightforwardly.
In a "money burning" industry that is recognized as large in investment, high risk and long return periods, money is obviously one of the most concerned issues for IC practitioners.
"The biggest feature of the integrated circuit industry is the high initial investment and long return period. The most risky part of the initial investment is often the least willing to intervene by social capital." said Wang Xuguang, CEO of the Institute of Integrated Perceptual Intelligence of China Science and Technology Institute. Many scientists have survived this stage through personal credit guarantees, mortgage-backed loans, or investment from angel investors, but such small "payroll" investments are not conducive to the rapid growth of integrated circuits."
"Several Policies" put forward a series of investment and financing policies to support integrated circuit companies, giving young integrated circuit companies hope. For example, supporting integrated circuit companies and software companies to obtain commercial loans through intellectual property pledge financing, equity pledge financing, accounts receivable pledge financing, supply chain finance, technology and intellectual property insurance, etc., Wang Xuguang bluntly said, "This is a particularly good innovation. , Very concerned about how to implement the follow-up."
"The tax exemption policy can greatly increase the profit margin of the entire integrated circuit industry, but the most important thing is to enhance the confidence of practitioners. Whether it is for A-shares or chip companies listed on the Science and Technology Board, or unlisted startup companies, Still, investment institutions that have invested in a large number of chip companies will have varying degrees of benefit." Mi Lei said. In his view, the tax exemption policy is an important attempt and breakthrough in the new nationwide system, focusing on conquering key links such as materials, chips, and equipment in the integrated circuit industry. In this way, the country's most elite talents will be directed to the most critical industries, and the available funds will benefit the integrated circuit industry and software industry through policies, forming a national chess game of technology, talent, and capital.
Keep up with technological development and policy measures to look forward to the implementation details
In Wei Shaojun's view, the "Several Policies" mentioned that the integrated circuit production enterprises or projects with a line width of less than 28 nanometers (inclusive) encouraged by the state and an operating period of more than 15 years are exempt from the first to tenth year. Corporate income tax, in terms of fiscal and taxation policies, encourage qualified companies to list and raise funds on the Science and Technology Innovation Board and the Growth Enterprise Market, etc., all "keep up with technological development and policy measures." The emphasis on international cooperation and other content indicates that China, as an important part of the world's semiconductor sector, will continue to deepen global cooperation and grow together with the global industrial chain. This is the expansion of "Circular 8" compared with the documents of previous years.
Zhu Jing, deputy secretary-general of the Beijing Semiconductor Industry Association, also mentioned in the relevant interpretation that many of the formulations of "Several Policies" are closely related to the times, such as the new national system, the establishment of first-level disciplines, support for the innovation platform of the three ministries, and strengthening of intellectual property rights. Protection and international cooperation.
Among them, intellectual property protection is Wang Xuguang's deepest impression. "Innovation of intellectual property rights is the core of the integrated circuit industry. The "Several Policies" also focus on this item, but how to implement the protection of intellectual property rights into laws and regulations and local specific policies, I look forward to seeing clear quantification and implementation. "He says.
"Compared with the introduction, how to implement is more concerned." Wei Shaojun admitted that the document is not specific enough on technological innovation. "The development of the integrated circuit industry today has an important feature, that is, the dual-wheel balance of capital and technology. Driven, this New Deal is more about fiscal and taxation, and there is no mention of specific measures like fiscal and taxation in the research and development policy. We look forward to the relevant departments to further refine the deployment in this area."
He analyzed that, compared with the previous inclusive policies, "Several Policies" pointed out the targets for key support. "The attributive term'encouraged by the state' has been mentioned many times in the document. So what does the state discourage? Objectively speaking, the integrated circuit industry has indeed had a tendency to rush in in recent years. The latest policy shows that we must adhere to To do something and not to do something, not all companies that are connected with integrated circuits will be supported."
Therefore, in Wei Shaojun's view, including how to advance research and development, industry insiders look forward to the implementation of the document as soon as possible.
Our reporter Cui Shuang Cao Xiuying