Sigma Designs and Vietnam Multimedia Corporation (VTC) have agreed to establish a joint venture to develop and market high-performance set-top boxes for digital television, smart energy products and home connectivity solutions in Vietnam.

In its press release issued on April 18, Sigma Designs, a US fabless semiconductor provider of integrated system-on-chip (SoC) solutions, said the joint venture, VietSilicon Technology Joint Stock Company (VSilicon, JSC), will combine an experienced team, technology development, products, sales and marketing.

The JV will also focus on speeding up innovation and delivery of products to market in Vietnam , Sigma Designs said, expecting the JV to introduce two new products this year.

Nguyen Hoang Phong, President at VTC Digicom, was quoted as saying that "Sigma Designs has the technology we need to modernise the market in Vietnam ".

"By working closely with Sigma, we will accelerate Vietnam 's transition to the digital era," Phong said.

Thinh Tran, CEO of Sigma Designs said: "The combination of our experience in the media processor and connected home and VTC's experience in digital television will help us meet Vietnam 's increasing demand for high-definition set-top boxes and smart energy solutions."

VTC is one of Vietnam 's largest multimedia corporations.

Headquartered in Milpitas, California, Sigma Designs has offices in the US, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan and sales representatives in Brazil, China, India, the Republic of Korea and Russia.

VietSilicon Technology Joint Stock Company will have its headquarters in Vietnam. /.