SEOUL: Sarawak is strengthening its efforts to position itself as a regional semiconductor and high-technology hub through a strategic engagement with the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association (KSIA), aimed at expanding industry collaboration, attracting investments and developing local talent.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who led a Sarawak delegation to the engagement session hosted by Sarawak Microelectronics Design (SMD) Semiconductor on Monday (June 1) said the state is actively building international partnerships to enhance its participation in the global semiconductor value chain.
The delegation comprised representatives from the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment Sarawak (MINTRED), Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR), Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), InvestSarawak, SAINS and the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA).
The engagement session was supported by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority through its Seoul officiate, which played an instrumental role in coordinating engagements with key stakeholders in the semiconductor industry, as well as MATRADE Korea for its support in strengthening trade and business connectivity between Sarawak and the Republic of Korea.
“Sarawak is undertaking a transformative journey to position itself as an emerging regional technological hub. Our focus is not only on investment attraction, but also on ecosystem development, talent nurturing, technology collaboration and long-term industrial sustainability,” he said.
Awang Tengah said the engagement forms part of Sarawak’s broader strategy to deepen collaboration with leading semiconductor economies while exploring opportunities in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced computing technologies, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), satellite technologies and low-Earth orbit (LEO) applications.
Recognising South Korea as one of the world’s leading semiconductor players, he said Sarawak views the country as an important strategic partner in advancing industrial collaboration, knowledge exchange and talent development.
“At the centre of Sarawak’s semiconductor ambitions is SMD. The company serves as Sarawak’s boutique fabless semiconductor design house specialising in analogue and mixed-signal integrated circuit technologies used in modern electronics, industrial systems, clean energy infrastructure, AI applications and future mobility solutions,” he said.
Meanwhile, SMD Semiconductor chief executive officer Shariman Jamil said the company has entered the next phase of its development roadmap, focusing on implementation and industry expansion.
“The early groundwork and deliverables have been demonstrated, and our priority moving forward is execution — sustaining momentum, expanding strategic collaborations and translating plans into measurable industry outcomes,” he said.
At the same time, KSIA executive director of Industrial Support Division Jeon Jae-min welcomed the engagement, describing it as a meaningful platform for strengthening cooperation between South Korea’s semiconductor ecosystem and emerging technology regions in Southeast Asia.
“Korea’s semiconductor industry continues to value international collaboration, particularly with partners that demonstrate long-term commitment towards ecosystem development, innovation and talent cultivation,” he said.
In May this year, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that SMD Semiconductor would spearhead efforts to explore strategic partnerships with collaborators in the United Kingdom involving satellite-grade semiconductor chip and system design, as well as the potential development and launch of Sarawak’s first satellite.
SMD Semiconductor has also established collaboration with the University of Bristol and Yayasan Sarawak to support semiconductor talent development and knowledge exchange, further strengthening the state’s growing technology ecosystem.
