Penang, 12–13 December 2024: ERIA and the Institute of Malaysian & International Studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (IKMAS-UKM) successfully co-organised a workshop titled ‘Enhancing the Semiconductor Industry and Strengthening the Semiconductor Supply Chain Network in ASEAN Countries’ at the Ascott Gurney Penang Hotel in Malaysia. The event, held on 12 and 13 December 2024, brought together 50 participants from government agencies, academia, and the semiconductor industry with the aim of fostering collaboration and enhancing ASEAN’s semiconductor supply chain.

ERIA provided vital funding and support for the workshop, which focused on addressing key challenges and exploring opportunities in the semiconductor sector. The event was designed to advance innovation and connectivity within ASEAN’s semiconductor industry through focused discussions and brainstorming sessions.

The workshop was co-led by Dr Intan Murnira, Senior Policy Fellow at ERIA’s Policy Design Department, and Prof. Dr Sufian Jusoh, Director of IKMAS-UKM. The event began with a welcoming address, followed by insightful presentations from the project leader, Dr Han Phoumin (ERIA), Prof. Dr Azrul Azlan Hamzah, and Prof. Dr Mohd Ambri Mohamad from UKM. These experts provided a comprehensive overview of current trends, challenges, and prospects in the global semiconductor market.

The workshop featured panel discussions centred around three key themes: technology, geoeconomics, and human resources. These themes also formed the focus of the workshop’s main focus group discussions (FGDs), providing a platform for participants to explore critical issues affecting the semiconductor industry in ASEAN. Interactive breakout sessions allowed participants to identify key gaps in the semiconductor value chain and propose actionable solutions. These exchanges emphasised the importance of building resilient networks to position ASEAN as a competitive global hub for semiconductor production and innovation.

On the second day, the workshop included the Author’s Inception Workshop and industry visits, which facilitated dynamic collaboration amongst ASEAN stakeholders. Participants developed actionable strategies aimed at enhancing talent mobility, fostering investment, and aligning regulations across the region to accelerate semiconductor advancements.

The workshop concluded with the presentation of preliminary findings from the FGDs, delivered by Prof. Dr Sufian Jusoh, who also served as project leader. Prof. Jusoh emphasised the importance of continued collaboration amongst stakeholders and ASEAN’s strategic role in the global semiconductor supply chain. He expressed optimism for future partnerships and initiatives that would further strengthen ASEAN’s position in this critical sector.

This event underscored the strategic significance of the semiconductor industry to ASEAN’s economic growth and highlighted the need for sustained collaboration to unlock the region’s full potential in the global market.

Following the Author’s Inception Workshop, a delegation from ERIA, IKMAS-UKM, and the country experts visited the Western Digital (WD) plant in the Batu Kawan area of Penang. The delegation was welcomed by Dr Fakhrozi Che Ani of WD and his team. Dr Fakhrozi and his team provided an overview of the activities and manufacturing processes at the plant, which consists of two factories producing system-in-package (SiP) and solid-state drive (SSD) products under one roof. The scale and sophistication of the semiconductor manufacturing demonstrated during the visit, along with WD’s global market reach, serve as a compelling example of how developing a semiconductor ecosystem can be economically beneficial for Malaysia and the ASEAN region as a whole.