By LYDIA NATHAN / Pic By AFIF ABD HALIM

The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) has partnered Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI) to host its fourth conference, SEMICON South-East Asia 2018, for the first time in Kuala Lumpur this year.

Mida deputy CEO Arham Abdul Rahman said this conference will involve exhibitions, panel discussions, as well as business matchings, which will serve as a good branding platform for Malaysia as well as assist in the development of the whole industry ecosystem.

Last year, a total of 109 electrical and electronics (E&E) indust ry projects were approved, with investments amounting to RM9.7 billion, driving business growth and accelerating the country’s transition into a smart manufacturing hub.

“The E&E industry continues to be a significant growth driver for Malaysia due to its cross-cutting linkages to other industries like the machinery and equipment, transport and medical devices.

“We trust this flagship event will bring not just meaningful impact to businesses, but also contribute to the development of the whole ecosystem in the manufacturing sector,” he said at a media briefing on SEMICON in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

SEMI South-East Asia president Ng Kai Fai said this conference will serve as a platform to forge collaboration and drive innovation between industry players, as well as to lead small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from around South-East Asia to the forefront of the market.

According to Ng, the semiconductor industry is looking positive.

“Following the mega trend of the Internet of things (IoT), it is semiconductors that enable the market, so things are looking quite rosy. We projected a 6.8% growth between 2016 and 2021, which is huge compared to the previous targets of 2% to 3%,” he said.

Ng said for 2018, they expect an 8% to 12% growth in the semiconductor field, adding that in terms of competition from other nations, especially from Taiwan, Korea and Japan, it is important to learn and master ways on staying resilient.

Ng said Kuala Lumpur was chosen to host this year because of its accessibility, noting that the last three events were held in Penang and received positive feedback.

“The last three conferences were very successful, this year we have a major semiconductor company Lam Research Corp and a major inspection company coming. We have shown our capabilities in helping and assisting multinational corporations to find partners and suppliers,” he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR) at yesterday’s briefing.

Ng said as China has stepped up its attacks on the Trump administration over billions of dollars worth of threatened tariffs, they will continue monitoring it closely to gauge any spillover effects to Malaysia.

“We live in such a globalised world that any trade war is not good. It may possibly have a trickling effect, but there will be no discussion (about it) at SEMICON,” he said.

Ng said there might be more foreign E&E companies that will invest in South-East Asia as the talent spread is there.

“Taiwan, for instance, has a southbound policy that encourages them to invest in South-East Asia. I foresee more companies are looking at these countries as a manufacturing destination, as well as a hub for product development and design.

“That will benefit Malaysia tremendously,” he told TMR. SEMICON will be held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) from May 8 to May 10. There will be about 380 exhibitors from 15 countries thus far.