HETiA Discusses Greece’s Role in the Global Chip Industry on ‘Finance Views’
The President of the Hellenic Emerging Technologies Industry Association (HETiA), Dr. Emmanuel Zervakis, recently joined the Finance Views podcast to discuss the explosive growth of the global semiconductor industry and Greece’s strategic position in chip design.
In a wide-ranging interview, Dr. Zervakis described semiconductors as “a cornerstone of the modern digital economy”, emphasizing their presence in every aspect of daily life: “There is no spacecraft, no ship, no car, no home, no mobile phone, tablet or server that doesn’t rely on chips.” He also noted that the global semiconductor market is expected to reach $1 trillion by the end of the decade, underlining its accelerating importance.
Dr. Emmanuel Zervakis at Finance Views Podcast
Reflecting on HETiA’s 20-year journey, Dr. Zervakis highlighted that HETiA represents a vibrant ecosystem of both innovative Greek startups and multinational corporations with R&D hubs in Greece. “These companies are developing key technologies locally by leveraging Greece’s exceptional engineering talent,” he said. “They’re not only contributing to chip design but also advancing digital technologies and applications that shape our future.”
As part of this broader effort to strengthen Greece’s role in the semiconductor industry, Dr. Zervakis also referred to the establishment of the Hellenic Chips Competence Centre (HCCC). Initiated by HETiA and supported by the Ministry of Development and the European Chips Joint Undertaking, HCCC is a national initiative to unite key stakeholders—from industry to academia—and to provide a strategic framework for collaboration, innovation, and capacity-building. HCCC offers a great opportunity for the local ecosystem to evolve further, while also increasing Greece’s visibility on the European map and attracting foreign investment in advanced technologies.
Dr. Emmanuel Zervakis at Finance Views podcast
He also outlined the structure of the semiconductor value chain—from the creation of design tools, to electronic design, manufacturing, and final packaging. Greece, he explained, excels in the design segment, which requires lower capital investment. “Our engineers are world-class, and this is where we’ve built significant expertise. But we aim to grow across the full value chain.”
Currently, around 30 to 40 companies in Greece are active in the semiconductor field.
Dr. Zervakis also warned of the geopolitical risks tied to semiconductor supply chains. “More than 80% of global chip production is concentrated in East Asia—mainly Taiwan, China, and South Korea. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the West’s deep dependence on these regions,” he stated. “Any disruption in this supply chain poses serious threats to the sustainability of modern economies.”
Read the full article and watch the entire interview (in Greek) HERE
