The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today applauded President Obama’s pledge to make job creation the top priority this year.

“As America’s second largest exporter, the semiconductor industry is very pleased that President Obama has set a goal to double exports over the next five years,” said SIA President George Scalise. “Providing tax incentives for businesses to invest in new plants and equipment, raising student achievement through education reform, encouraging American innovation and investments in basic research funding, reforming export controls, opening markets through trade agreements, and fixing our broken immigration system will all help create a climate that will attract investment in job-creating enterprises.

“Congress and the President took positive and constructive actions in 2009 by providing increased funding for basic research, supporting educational reforms to ensure a world-class workforce in the future, and encouraging adoption of new technologies to promote energy efficiency,” Scalise continued. “In the face of any spending freeze, it will be all the more important for the U.S. government to set priorities. Keeping the commitment to fund research, education, and energy should be high on the list to create high-paying jobs in both the short and long term.

“Any major changes to the current tax structure should occur in a comprehensive fashion. The present tax rules were designed by Congress specifically to help U.S. companies compete in the international economy. SIA will offer constructive policy initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. companies in the weeks ahead,” Scalise concluded.

About SIA

The SIA is the leading voice for the semiconductor industry and has represented U.S. semiconductor companies since 1977. Collectively, the chip industry employs a domestic workforce of approximately 200,000 people. The semiconductor industry is America’s second-largest exporting industry. More information about the SIA can be found at www.sia-online.org.