The EU has approved an €8.1bn state aid package to boost the development of chips, aiming to strengthen the bloc’s microelectronics and comms sector. The subsidy falls under the framework of “Important Projects of Common European Interest” (IPCEI) — an initiative that provides easier access to public funds. The IPCEI will undertake 68 projects across 14 member states: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Poland, Romania, Spain, and Slovakia. It will involve 56 companies in total — from major players such as Airbus and ASML, to startups and SMEs — and over 30…

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