Taiwan looking to work with Malaysia on semiconductors, computer chips

Taiwan looking to work with Malaysia on semiconductors, computer chips

17 Jul 2024

Semiconductor and computer chip powerhouse Taiwan is keen on working with Malaysia on new opportunities.

“Malaysia is well-equipped with semiconductor capabilities, especially in packaging and testing,” said Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Tien Chung-kwang.

“It’s one of the most advanced countries in this field,” he said in a briefing with the press from countries that are part of Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy.

Introduced in 2016, the NSP aims to boost cooperation and talent exchange between Taiwan and Southeast Asian, South Asian and Australasian countries.

Tien said Taiwan is committed to leveraging its technology talent and resources from the government and private sector to reshape supply chains and industries.

In the past eight years, Taiwan had seen a significant increase in trade volume with the 18 NSP countries.

“It took Taiwan 46 years to achieve advanced expertise in computer chips and semiconductors and we want to continue offering capacity-building opportunities to interested nations,” he said.

In this area, Tien said Taiwan was looking to work with Malaysia, because of its semiconductor capabilities, highly skilled workforce and stable hydroelectric power supply.

Already, Taiwanese officials have engaged their Malaysian counterparts, including Julau member of Parliament Datuk Larry Sng.

Sng, when contacted by the New Straits Times, said Malaysia, with its strategic location, could become a hub for expansion and collaboration with more advanced countries such as Taiwan.

He said various multinational companies have already invested in Penang and Klang, and that he also hopes to draw investors to Sarawak.

In the case of Taiwan, Sng said there was potential for collaboration in engineering education.

“Instead of sending students abroad, a Taiwanese university campus in Malaysia could be established to meet the growing demand for engineers,” said Sng.

Meanwhile, Sng acknowledged that many Malaysians moved abroad to countries like Taiwan for better opportunities and higher salaries.

However, this was not necessarily a negative as the Malaysians could contribute back to the country when they returned.

“Malaysians in Taiwan gain invaluable experience in a highly competitive industry. The work ethics in Taiwan and Japan are notably similar, providing a unique professional environment that’s challenging to replicate,” he said.

Source: NST