KUALA LUMPUR: Semi-conductor assembly and test services provider, Unisem (M) Bhd, is confident of recording better growth in
the second half of this year backed by a promising outlook in the global economy.

Its chairman and group managing director John Chia Sin Tet said the first half of 2013 remained challenging for the company.

"But there is a forecast of stronger growth for us in the second half with a better outlook in the US economy, although China is facing a slowdown," he told the media after the company's annual general meeting here today.

About 59.1 per cent of the company's sales are to customers in North America, 21.3 per cent to Europe and 19.6 per cent to Asia.

Chia said 2012 was a challenging year for the company as the sluggish global economy had impacted the semi-conductor industry, with consumer sentiment deteriorating further from previously.

Unisem recorded revenue of RM1.1 billion for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2012, a decline of 5.9 per cent from the RM1.16 billion previously.

This resulted in a net loss of RM33.3 million in 2012, compared to a net profit of RM19.7 million in 2011.

In the midst of the global economic uncertainties, he said the company would continue managing its costs and realign the businesses model to focus on newer technologies, packages and service portfolios, to improve the company's performance this year.

On capex, he said the company will allocate of about RM70 million for 2013, mainly to be spent on new technology equipment to enhance its bumping, packaging, test capabilities and processes.

He said Unisem is at present in the development phase of venturing into a new medical complex packaging segment, which it believes can make a significant contribution to the company's bottom line. Bernama