SPOTLIGHTING critical issues including sustainability and supply chain resilience, SEMICON Southeast Asia 2022 – the region’s premier gathering of the semiconductor and microelectronics industry – has opened its doors to a three-day of regional industry engagement yesterday (June 21).
Returning to Penang’s Setia SPICE Convention Centre for the first time in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will connect semiconductor manufacturing equipment companies, private and public partners, and other key industry stakeholders to explore new collaboration and growth opportunities.
Themed Forward as One: Building A Resilient and Sustainable Electronics Supply Chain in Southeast Asia, SEMICON Southeast Asia 2022 will also commemorate Malaysia’s 50th Year of Manufacturing Excellence and celebrate Penang’s reputation as the Silicon Valley of the East which is built on decades of manufacturing excellence and industrial experience.
Held physically after a two-year hiatus for the sixth time in Penang, the showcase brings together industry experts from around the world for critical insights into the semiconductor ecosystem, new business opportunities and collaboration.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, SEMI’s CEO Ajit Manocha said SEMICON Southeast Asia 2022 underscores the significance of the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry both in Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asia region.
“This is the most exciting time in the industry’s history. We witnessed unprecedented challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic but the semiconductor industry has coped well and shown strong growth,” he shared.
“The most important lesson from the pandemic has been how crucial semiconductors are to all facets of lives.”
“The accelerating digital transformation and the convergence of AI (artificial intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), AR/VR (augmented reality/virtual reality), quantum computing, autonomous machines and many other emerging technologies will touch virtually every end market, resulting in tremendous opportunities for the semiconductor industry.”
Penang’s Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow who graced the event said the state’s significance in the E&E industry is well-attested as Penang accounted for over 5% of the global semiconductor sales and made up close to 60% of Malaysia’s E&E exports.
“With an all-time high export value of RM364 bil, Penang topped the nation’s list in 2021,” he revealed.
“Penang is also known as a regional hub for front-to-back-end equipment manufacturing, serving the needs of E&E industry along the value chain. These achievements have greatly demonstrated the state’s sustained excellence as the Silicon Valley of the East, making Penang a valuable site to host SEMICON Southeast Asia 2022.”
Featuring two themed pavilions and two global pavilions, SEMICON Southeast Asia 2022 is expected to draw more than 10,000 attendees who will also be treated to inspiring keynote presentations, and a host of technology forums to address key trends and issues in the electronics manufacturing supply chain.
Malaysia is today home to over 5,000 investors from more than 40 countries. In 1Q 2022, Malaysia has attracted a total of RM42.8 bil approved investments, of which the E&E industry contributed RM19 bil with 13,700 new job opportunities. – June 22, 2022
