Samsung Electronics has said that the semiconductor industry to grow at a low rate next year as the global economic slowdown cuts into demand. Chatting to Reuters, Oh-hyun Kwon, who is Samsung's device solutions head, said that under an economic slowdown, the visibility of the semiconductor industry is low; the growth rate in 2012 will not be high and technology will be an important factor.

Samsung Electronics is currently rumoured to take over ownership of  Samsung Mobile Display (SMD),  which is its joint venture with Samsung SDI. Kwon said he has not heard of such a plan, which you would have expected him to have done. SMD is doing rather well at the moment thanks to  booming sales of the active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display used in smartphones, gaming machines and tablets.

But he did say that Samsung would actively pursue acquisitions if necessary to boost its technology level. He was aslo optimistic for the future of 3D integrated circuits.  Kwon Samsung will launch related products within 2-3 years when market conditions improves.

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