21/12/2021 (Agence Europe) – The Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, welcomed, in a blog post published on Monday 20 December, the pre-notification by Germany, on behalf of the participating Member States, of a new important project of common European interest (IPCEI) to support cooperation projects in the microelectronics sector. With 20 Member States participating and more than 90 potential beneficiaries (including large companies, SMEs and start-ups), this IPCEI is a “clear signal” that Europe as a whole is “putting its money where its mouth is”. According to Germany, 32 projects are concerned for a total investment of more than €10 billion. “This is a major step forward, which goes hand in hand with the upcoming European Chips Act”, the Commissioner welcomed, referring to the flagship initiative announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last September (see EUROPE 12791/4, 12796/10). (PH)