There’s no secret that Singapore is home to many chip design companies and now Qualcomm is looking to the small nation to be a base for a new IC design and Engineering R&D centre. The office would focus on CDMA technology, or what is commonly known as 3G. According to the press release, Qualcomm will be focusing on "analog and power design; mixed signal design; digital design; mask layout design; and pre and post silicon verification" at its Singapore facility. The local government chimed in and Mr. Teo Ser Luck, the Minister of State for Trade and Industry said that "[w] e are excited that Qualcomm, the world's largest fabless semiconductor company, is setting up an IC Design & Engineering R&D Centre in Singapore, further establishing Singapore as an international hub for its chipset business." Considering the local expertise when it comes to IC design, it’s clear that this move by Qualcomm isn’t one by chance. Beyond IC design and R&D, the new facility will also be home to business planning and development, marketing and administrative functions as well as sourcing, procurement and distribution. John Stefanac, vice president of Qualcomm and president of Qualcomm Southeast Asia and Pacific is quoted saying that "The expansion of our presence in Singapore demonstrates Qualcomm's deepened commitment to the Asia Pacific region and builds on more than a decade of successful operations here."