04.07.2025
Regional Assembly of Oulu Region becomes a member of the Union of Semiconductor Regions
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia has joined the European Semiconductor Regions Alliance (ESMA).
ESRA is a collaboration of 36 European provinces that aims to identify and help remove obstacles to the strategic development of the sector by improving the legislative framework, promoting public and private investment, supporting knowledge sharing and the creation and maintenance of strong and sustainable value chains.
The second annual meeting of the ESFA was held in Brussels on 3 July. In this context, Northern Ostrobothnia's membership was sealed. The meeting was held at the premises of the EU Committee of the Regions and opened by Kata Tüttő, Hungarian President of the Committee of the Regions.
Speaking at the meeting, Pierre Chastanet, Head of Microelectronics and Photonics Industry Unit, DG Connect, EU Commission, stressed that the COVID-19 period revealed the dependency and vulnerability of the EU and regions on supplies from a few companies and from third countries. To increase resilience and self-sufficiency, the EU launched the EU Chips Act. It aims to improve the EU's relative position in competition with countries such as China and the United States.
Chip production is directly linked to the EU’s economic and digital sovereignty and competitiveness. At EU level, the semiconductor and microelectronics industry has been made a key industry for future competitiveness.
After the Helsinki metropolitan area, the Oulu region is the second most significant area of semiconductor industry and microelectronics in Finland. The success of the sector plays a key role in the region's economic growth and employment. The sector is also of strategic importance.
The accession of Northern Ostrobothnia to ESRA will strengthen our position as an innovative region for the European semiconductor industry. Membership makes it possible to build European partnerships.It is also a signal to businesses and research and education institutions in the region that we are committed to supporting them.
Hanna Honkamäkilä, Head of International Affairs, tel. +358 40 685 4040
ESRA website
