US-based mobile phone chip maker Qualcomm expressed its interest in creating alliances in both the IT and healthcare sectors of the country under a government-funded investment promotion program, Reuters reported on April 7. Korea's Ministry of Knowledge Economy said that it will accept application forms from small- and medium-sized local companies who intend to tie-up with Qualcomm until the end of September and the result of the selection will be announced some time in October 2009.

 

Furthermore, the company is set to establish a R&D center in Korea for new wireless and telecommunication technologies, the Korea Times reported on April 8. Further details regarding the value of the investment, however, were not yet disclosed.

 

Meanwhile, Qualcomm was also in discussions with its major two clients, Samsung and LG, regarding possible further collaboration in the wireless sector according again to the Korea Times. Samsung, however, declined to comment on the report.