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U.S. trade policy remains concerning for Malaysia's technology sector: analysts
U.S. trade policy remains concerning for Malaysia's technology sector: analysts

Malaysia Sun

timea day ago

  • Business
  • Malaysia Sun

U.S. trade policy remains concerning for Malaysia's technology sector: analysts

Xinhua 01 Jul 2025, 22:45 GMT+10 KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Xinhua) -- While global semiconductor sales for 2025 are expected to continue to grow, analysts remained cautious about outlook for Malaysia's technology sector due to prevailing uncertainties surrounding U.S. trade policy. TA Securities said in its recent note that should the U.S. implement sector-specific tariffs on semiconductor imports, it could materially impact end-market demand and Malaysian technology corporate earnings. According to the research house, heading into the second half, there are three major factors that could potentially influence the sector's earnings, U.S. policies; global semiconductor sales; progress of Malaysia's National Semiconductor Strategy. "Should the U.S. administration proceed with imposing tariffs on semiconductor imports, it could severely disrupt the global supply chain and dampen end-user demand," the research house said. Hence, it believed the policy risk will likely persist in the coming months, potentially leading to delays in orders and capital expenditure plans as corporates adopt a more conservative approach in response to the lack of policy visibility. Meanwhile, TA Securities noted that the global semiconductor market was still undergoing an upcycle, with positive momentum expected to continue into the second half.

U.S. trade policy remains concerning for Malaysia's technology sector: analysts
U.S. trade policy remains concerning for Malaysia's technology sector: analysts

The Star

timea day ago

  • Business
  • The Star

U.S. trade policy remains concerning for Malaysia's technology sector: analysts

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 (Xinhua) -- While global semiconductor sales for 2025 are expected to continue to grow, analysts remained cautious about outlook for Malaysia's technology sector due to prevailing uncertainties surrounding U.S. trade policy. TA Securities said in its recent note that should the U.S. implement sector-specific tariffs on semiconductor imports, it could materially impact end-market demand and Malaysian technology corporate earnings. According to the research house, heading into the second half, there are three major factors that could potentially influence the sector's earnings, U.S. policies; global semiconductor sales; progress of Malaysia's National Semiconductor Strategy. "Should the U.S. administration proceed with imposing tariffs on semiconductor imports, it could severely disrupt the global supply chain and dampen end-user demand," the research house said. Hence, it believed the policy risk will likely persist in the coming months, potentially leading to delays in orders and capital expenditure plans as corporates adopt a more conservative approach in response to the lack of policy visibility. Meanwhile, TA Securities noted that the global semiconductor market was still undergoing an upcycle, with positive momentum expected to continue into the second half.

Penang launches Silicon Research and Incubation Space to drive IC design industry
Penang launches Silicon Research and Incubation Space to drive IC design industry

The Sun

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • The Sun

Penang launches Silicon Research and Incubation Space to drive IC design industry

GEORGE TOWN: Penang's mission to lead Malaysia's integrated circuit (IC) design landscape received a boost with the launch of the Silicon Research and Incubation Space, a high-innovation facility under the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ (PSD@5km+) initiative. Located at GBS Tech Space in the Bayan Lepas Industrial Park, the 36,000-square-foot purpose-built space marks the beginning of a new era for local IC design, poised to meet the challenges of the global market. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the facility is now home to local IC design companies and technology partners, creating a collaborative platform that brings together the experience, expertise, and vision of local entrepreneurs, many of whom previously served in multinational corporations (MNCs). He said the facility is envisioned as a one-stop centre designed to cultivate a vibrant community of next-generation artificial intelligence-driven IC design thinkers, engineers and entrepreneurs. 'It provides access to high-specification server environments, cutting-edge lab facilities and industry-standard electronic design automation tools and equipment, which are critical enablers for IC design and development. 'The space is also complemented by an integrated suite of technical consultations, expert mentorships and collaborative development programmes, aimed at accelerating innovation and product readiness,' he told a press conference after the launching ceremony at the GBS Tech Space, here today. Chow noted that today's launch reaffirms the state's commitment to aligning with the National Semiconductor Strategy, and over 45 companies, both local and MNCs, are currently operating in Penang, making it Malaysia's largest IC design cluster. Elaborating further, he said the facility is one of three key components under the PSD@5KM+ initiative, the other two being the Chip Design Academy, which is to be launched next week, and the IC Design Digital Park in Bayan Lepas, scheduled for completion this August. The PSD@5KM+ initiative was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in December last year, with support from RM50 million in federal government funding and RM60 million from the state government. Chow emphasised that the state's vision, 'Made by Malaysia, designed and developed in Penang', is becoming a reality as locally designed chips begin to meet global standards and enter international markets. He said that one of the recent achievements is the development of two advanced chip technology solutions, namely HBM3E and network-on-chip by SkyeChip. 'We are proud that local companies are now not just 'Made in Malaysia', but are producing chips that are truly 'Made by Malaysia', reinforcing Penang's position as the Silicon Valley of the East,' he added.

UK's new envoy to Malaysia to prioritise cooperation in semiconductor sector
UK's new envoy to Malaysia to prioritise cooperation in semiconductor sector

The Sun

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • The Sun

UK's new envoy to Malaysia to prioritise cooperation in semiconductor sector

KUALA LUMPUR: The United Kingdom's new High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ajay Sharma, has made strengthening bilateral cooperation a key priority, with a particular focus on the fast-growing semiconductor sector and the development of integrated chip design and advanced manufacturing. He said the British government is keen to strengthen linkages and exchange ideas to increase the value chain in both countries in the semiconductor industry and the manufacture of high-end chips. This aligns with Malaysia's ambitions under the National Semiconductor Strategy to transition from outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing to high-end manufacturing and niche capabilities such as integrated circuit design. 'We have seen a Malaysian company invest in a new compound semiconductor facility in Wales,' he said, referring to SMD Semiconductor, a Sarawak state-owned firm that recently opened a research and development innovation hub in Newport, an industrial port city in Wales. 'Therefore, I really want to work with Malaysia on the semiconductor industry. Malaysia is already involved in different parts of the value chain, and we can complement and learn from each other,' he told Bernama after appearing on Bernama TV's The Nation programme recently. Sharma, who succeeded Ailsa Terry, previously served in Iran, Qatar, Turkey, Moscow and Paris. He also sees potential for a UK-Malaysia partnership in offering specialised courses on semiconductors and chip design in British universities, where a significant number of Malaysian students pursue higher education. 'We can also collaborate with local universities to bring Malaysian talent to the UK and set up courses here. Then we could see these courses develop and expand to Malaysia as well,' he said. He also highlighted clean energy as an area for increased bilateral cooperation, in which Malaysia has immense potential and where Britain could play a supporting role. 'Malaysia has huge natural resources, immense opportunities in clean energy and is working on significant development on carbon capture, green tech and energy transition. Malaysia also has creative and innovative technologies which can be used in our universities, labs and expanded into businesses. 'This interests me to try to get more investments from both countries in this sector as well,' said Sharma. Sharma said he is keen to boost two-way investments, especially Malaysian investments in the UK, citing successful ventures such as the Battersea Power Station redevelopment, YTL's Brabazon project in Bristol, and contributions in sectors ranging from water utilities like Wessex Water to power generation. At the same time, he aims to raise awareness among UK companies about business opportunities in Malaysia. 'Companies in the UK do not know much about the opportunities here in Malaysia, and we need to raise the profile to generate business interest. 'So, that is a key area that I would like to fix under my leadership,' said Sharma, who stressed this is even more important with Malaysia being a key market for economic growth in the Asean region. With UK-Malaysia trade worth £6 billion (RM34.8 billion), the potential for increased trade is huge. 'We should be doing much more in many areas, such as tech development, which affects everything from healthcare to life sciences to defence manufacturing. We need to work on these and not be limited to areas we have focused on in the past,' said Sharma. He said the UK expects vast new opportunities following its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on Dec 15 last year, becoming the first European nation to join the pact. The CPTPP now includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. With a combined population of 580 million and accounting for 15.6% of global gross domestic product, the CPTPP is the world's fourth-largest free trade bloc. Sharma noted that the global trading system is under considerable strain, with questions raised about the World Trade Organisation's ability to manage challenges, even before the protectionist measures introduced by the United States. 'We really need to find ways to ensure cooperation between our countries to support free trade flows and growth, which is the main reason we were keen to join the CPTPP. 'We must ensure the trade administration process is as simple as possible. I wouldn't want people to miss out on a great trade arrangement simply because the process for applying for exemptions, etc, is too complicated or too onerous,' he said. The UK government, he added, is working closely with businesses to help them take full advantage of the CPTPP, including through cost savings and improved market access. 'As a government, we are working with businesses to make sure they take advantage of these (CPTPP) opportunities,' he said. – Bernama

UK envoy eyes stronger ties with Malaysia in semiconductor sector
UK envoy eyes stronger ties with Malaysia in semiconductor sector

New Straits Times

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • New Straits Times

UK envoy eyes stronger ties with Malaysia in semiconductor sector

KUALA LUMPUR: The United Kingdom's new High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ajay Sharma, has made strengthening bilateral cooperation a key priority, with a particular focus on the fast-growing semiconductor sector and the development of integrated chip design and advanced manufacturing. He said the British government is keen to strengthen linkages and exchange ideas to increase the value chain in both countries in the semiconductor industry and the manufacture of high-end chips. This aligns with Malaysia's ambitions under the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) to transition from outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing to high-end manufacturing and niche capabilities such as integrated circuit design. "We have seen a Malaysian company invest in a new compound semiconductor facility in Wales," he said, referring to SMD Semiconductor, a Sarawak state-owned firm that recently opened a research and development innovation hub in Newport, an industrial port city in Wales. "Therefore, I really want to work with Malaysia on the semiconductor industry. Malaysia is already involved in different parts of the value chain, and we can complement and learn from each other," he told Bernama after appearing on Bernama TV's 'The Nation' programme recently. Sharma, who succeeded Ailsa Terry CMG, previously served in Iran, Qatar, Turkey, Moscow and Paris. He also sees potential for a UK-Malaysia partnership in offering specialised courses on semiconductors and chip design in British universities, where a significant number of Malaysian students pursue higher education. Malaysia has huge potential in clean energy "We can also collaborate with local universities to bring Malaysian talent to the UK and set up courses here. Then we could see these courses develop and expand to Malaysia as well," he said. He also highlighted clean energy as an area for increased bilateral cooperation, in which Malaysia has immense potential and where Britain could play a supporting role. "Malaysia has huge natural resources, immense opportunities in clean energy and is working on significant development on carbon capture, green tech and energy transition. Malaysia also has creative and innovative technologies which can be used in our universities, labs and expanded into businesses. "This interests me to try to get more investments from both countries in this sector as well," said Sharma. Sharma said he is keen to boost two-way investments, especially Malaysian investments in the UK, citing successful ventures such as the Battersea Power Station redevelopment, YTL's Brabazon project in Bristol, and contributions in sectors ranging from water utilities like Wessex Water to power generation. At the same time, he aims to raise awareness among UK companies about business opportunities in Malaysia. "Companies in the UK do not know much about the opportunities here in Malaysia, and we need to raise the profile to generate business interest. "So, that is a key area that I would like to fix under my leadership," said Sharma, who stressed this is even more important with Malaysia being a key market for economic growth in the Asean region. CPTPP trade process must be as simple as possible With UK-Malaysia trade worth six billion pounds (about RM34.8billion), the potential for increased trade is huge. "We should be doing much more in many areas, such as tech development, which affects everything from healthcare to life sciences to defence manufacturing. We need to work on these and not be limited to areas we have focused on in the past," said Sharma. He said the UK expects vast new opportunities following its accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on December 15 last year, becoming the first European nation to join the pact. The CPTPP now includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. With a combined population of 580 million and accounting for 15.6 per cent of global gross domestic product, the CPTPP is the world's fourth-largest free trade bloc. Sharma noted that the global trading system is under considerable strain, with questions raised about the World Trade Organisation's ability to manage challenges, even before the protectionist measures introduced by the United States. "We really need to find ways to ensure cooperation between our countries to support free trade flows and growth, which is the main reason we were keen to join the CPTPP. "We must ensure the trade administration process is as simple as possible. I wouldn't want people to miss out on a great trade arrangement simply because the process for applying for exemptions, etc, is too complicated or too onerous," he said. The UK government, he added, is working closely with businesses to help them take full advantage of the CPTPP, including through cost savings and improved market access. "As a government, we are working with businesses to make sure they take advantage of these (CPTPP) opportunities," he said.

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