Bangi, 3–4 September 2025: ERIA and the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (IKMAS UKM), convened a Socialisation Workshop on the ASEAN Framework for Integrated Semiconductor Supply Chain (AFISS) and the accompanying regional study, Enhancing Semiconductor Industry and Linking Semiconductor Supply Chain Network in ASEAN Member States. The workshop took place at Bangi Resort Hotel, Malaysia, and gathered representatives of ASEAN’s Focus Group for Global Value Chains (FG-GVC), the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Member States (AMS), and researchers from UKM’s Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN UKM).

The workshop sought to socialise AFISS, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage regional dialogue and coordination amongst stakeholders. This marks the final stage of AFISS’s development, supported by the comprehensive study covering all AMS and other countries involved in the semiconductor value chain. The initiative is particularly timely as AFISS will be considered for endorsement by the FG-GVC ahead of the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ (AEM) Meeting, followed by adoption by the 26th ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) Meeting in October 2025.

The session on 3 September opened with remarks from Prof. Dr Azrul Azlan Hamzah, Principal Research Fellow of IMEN UKM and project co-lead, who outlined the study’s background and earlier engagements. Speaking on behalf of Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Mr Hasnol Hassan, Principal Assistant Director of the Industry Development Division, reaffirmed Malaysia’s support for AFISS as a key Priority Economic Deliverable (PED) under its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. Representing the ASEAN Secretariat, Mr Arief Rizky Bakhtiar of the ASEAN Integration Monitoring Directorate underscored AFISS’s alignment with the newly adopted ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026–2030, while stressing the importance of ensuring the framework remains practical, forward-looking, and industry-relevant.

Dr Han Phoumin, ERIA Senior Energy Economist and project co-lead, led the first technical session, framing ASEAN’s semiconductor industry within global trade dynamics. He outlined both opportunities and challenges facing the region and summarised Chapter 1 of the study, which maps ASEAN’s position in the global semiconductor landscape. Mr Ardhana Tahriza Syarif, ERIA Research Associate, presented Chapters 2–5, which assessed AMS participation in the value chain, investment drivers, and enabling ecosystem factors. His presentation also detailed the study’s strategic policy recommendations, which serve as the substantive link to AFISS. The session concluded with a moderated discussion led by Dr Haris Zuan, Fellow of IKMAS.

The second session, opened by Prof. Dr Sufian Jusoh, Vice Chancellor of UKM, reflected on insights from a prior workshop in Langkawi in June 2025. He emphasised the need to address evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics, also under review by the ASEAN Geoeconomic Task Force. Dr Intan M. Ramli, Senior Policy Fellow of ERIA, continued by presenting AFISS’s focus areas and initiatives, before inviting participants to provide feedback and share Member States’ experiences. Deliberations with FG-GVC representatives identified priority initiatives and quick wins aligned with AFISS.

On 4 September, the study team visited IMEN at UKM’s Bangi campus. Dr Abdul Rahman Mohmad of IMEN welcomed the ERIA delegation, introducing the institute’s research portfolio. Professors Azlan, Mohd Ambri Mohamed, and Dr Ahmad Ghadafi Ismail guided a tour showcasing frontier projects, including artificial kidneys, carbon-based nanomaterials, organic semiconductors, and advanced electron microscopy. The delegation also visited IMEN’s cleanroom facility, a scaled version of those used in the semiconductor industry, which supports student research and training.