BAYAN LEPAS, May 24 – SEMICON Southeast Asia, the premier global event for electronics manufacturing and supply chain, kicked off with a focus on key areas of semiconductor industry growth, including sustainability, smart manufacturing, smart mobility, smart medtech, and workforce development. The event was inaugurated by YAB Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, and YAB Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang. Themed “Boosting Agility and Resiliency for the Electronics Supply Chain,” SEMICON Southeast Asia 2023 brings together industry leaders to explore strategies for building a more robust supply chain amidst the current economic downturn and ongoing disruptions.
The event serves as a platform for semiconductor manufacturing equipment companies, private and public partners, and other stakeholders to foster collaboration and identify growth opportunities. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ajit Manocha, CEO of SEMI, emphasized the significance of the Electrical and Electronics (E&E) industry in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Despite geopolitical and economic uncertainties, Manocha highlighted the industry’s strong fundamentals and its potential for long-term growth driven by digital transformation and emerging applications in various markets.
With trends such as autonomous machines, electric vehicles, 6G, and more, the demand for semiconductors is expected to rise, benefitting the region. The Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, expressed Penang’s commitment to creating a supportive and dynamic business environment for the semiconductor industry. Penang’s thriving ecosystem of semiconductor players, known for their expertise along the value chain, enables greater flexibility and responsiveness in the supply chain, facilitating quick adaptation to market conditions and customer needs. With over 50 years of industrial excellence, Penang, through InvestPenang, aims to nurture the growth of emerging subsectors and further strengthen the region’s semiconductor industry.
Ms. Lim Bee Vian, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), hailed SEMICON Southeast Asia as a paramount exposition for the electronics industry in the region. MIDA expressed excitement over the strong interest and turnout witnessed over the years through its collaboration with SEMI Southeast Asia and like-minded supporters and partners. The E&E industry is projected to continue its growth trajectory in 2023, driven by the global demand for chips and semiconductor equipment. In 2022, the industry attracted RM29.3 billion in total investment from 106 projects, with an impressive 95.2% coming from foreign sources. These investments have not only contributed to economic growth but also created employment opportunities, including highly skilled positions.
Malaysia’s well-established E&E industry ecosystem has attracted major electronics companies, including Intel, ST Microelectronics, Infineon, Micron, Texas Instruments, TF AMD, and Osram. The presence of global multinational corporations (MNCs) has further strengthened local companies in the industry, aligning them with the needs of these MNCs and integrating them into the global value chain. This demonstrates Malaysia’s strategic prowess and serves as a vote of confidence. Malaysia’s focus on accelerating the adoption of advanced factory automation and digitalization aligns with the global trend, ensuring sustained growth in the industry.
Highlights of SEMICON Southeast Asia 2023 include:
- CxO Summit on Boosting Agility and Resiliency of the Electronics Supply Chain in SEA
- Roundtable discussion on investment opportunities in Southeast Asia
- Workforce Development initiatives, including career fairs, talks, and the SEMISEA University Bootcamp
- Launch of SEMI University, an online learning management system offering courses for industry professionals in the semiconductor and electronics industry
- Forums covering SMART Mobility, Market and Industry trends, SMART Enterprise, Advanced Packaging, SMART MedTech, Advanced Product Testing, and Sustainability
- Smart Innovators Showcase showcasing Industry 4.0 best practices and the latest smart manufacturing and sustainability solutions in the semiconductor industry
- Industry VIP Networking Night for attendees to connect with industry leaders and experts
SEMICON Southeast Asia will move to Kuala Lumpur in 2024 and will be held from May 28 to 30 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). The event in Kuala Lumpur will have a specific focus on smart mobility, smart manufacturing, and sustainability.
