Langkawi, 16–17 June 2025: ERIA and the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (IKMAS-UKM) co-organised the 2nd Workshop on Enhancing the Semiconductor Industry and Linking the Semiconductor Supply Chain Network in ASEAN Member States at the Langkawi International Convention Centre (LICC), Malaysia. Key highlights included the validation of national semiconductor development reports, exchange of national and regional best practices, and the introduction of the ASEAN Framework on Integrated Semiconductor Supply Chain (AFISS).

This initiative, one of the Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, seeks to deepen cross-border collaboration in the semiconductor value chain and enhance regional economic resilience by leveraging the complementary strengths of each ASEAN Member State.

The workshop opened with remarks by project leaders Dr Han Phoumin (Senior Energy Economist, ERIA) and Prof. Dr Azrul Azlan Hamzah (Professor, UKM Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics). Dr Phoumin provided an overview of the integrative report on ASEAN’s semiconductor landscape, setting the stage for regional dialogue.

Day 1 focused on aligning national initiatives with a unified ASEAN vision to strengthen the region’s position in the global semiconductor supply chain. Presentations and panel discussions addressed key challenges, including supply chain fragmentation, limited R&D investment, and talent shortages. Opportunities for cross-border collaboration and innovation were explored. Featured speakers included Prof. Muhammad Nurdin (Indonesia), Prof. Krista Danielle S. Yu (Philippines), Dr Archanun Kohpaiboon (Thailand), Nguyen Thi Xuan Thuy (Viet Nam), Thitsar Thitsar (Myanmar), and representatives from IKMAS (Malaysia).

Day 2 opened with remarks by Hasnol Hassan (Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry of Malaysia) and Dr Ahmad Zafarullah Abdul Jalil (ASEAN Secretariat). The workshop welcomed over 60 participants from government, academia, and industry across ASEAN, alongside experts from the United Kingdom.

A high-level expert panel featured Dr Andy Sellars (UK Semiconductor Advisory Panel), Andrew Chan Yik Hong (Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association), and Harish Pillay (Advisor on Gen AI and AI Governance, Straits Interactive), moderated by Prof. Dr Sufian Jusoh (Vice Chancellor of UKM and Director of IKMAS). Panellists shared insights on global benchmarks, ecosystem building, design capabilities, talent development, and industrial strategy – contributing valuable input for the refinement of the AFISS.

Prof. Dr Sufian Jusoh introduced the AFISS, positioning it as a strategic and catalytic framework to strengthen regional coordination, promote policy harmonisation, and develop shared infrastructure for semiconductor development. The current iteration outlines seven strategic thrusts and reflects a regional commitment to resilience, innovation, and cooperation. He emphasised the critical need for sustained policy alignment and ASEAN-wide dialogue to position the region as a globally competitive semiconductor hub.

In a session moderated by Dr Intan Murnira Ramli (Senior Policy Fellow, ERIA), participants expressed strong support for advancing AFISS. Targeted consultations with sectoral bodies and industry leaders will be held to refine the framework ahead of its formal adoption. Proposed pilot initiatives include shared design centres, regional R&D hubs, and cross-border talent development programmes to support emerging local semiconductor enterprises.

The wrap-up session, led by Dr Han Phoumin and Prof. Dr Azrul Azlan Hamzah, reiterated the importance of sustained collaboration amongst stakeholders to enhance ASEAN’s semiconductor supply chain resilience. The Langkawi workshop reaffirmed the sector’s strategic importance to ASEAN’s economic future and demonstrated how collective action and knowledge-sharing can elevate the region’s global competitiveness in semiconductor technology.