KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and the Netherlands have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen ties in the semiconductor industry, a move aimed at reinforcing Malaysia’s role as a global chip hub and the Netherlands’ position in advanced manufacturing and innovation.
The memorandum of cooperation was inked in The Hague by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz (pic) and Dutch Economic Affairs Minister Vincent Karremans.
It builds on an initiative first proposed by both countries’ prime ministers during the Dutch leader’s visit to Kuala Lumpur in 2023.
The agreement will see the launch of an annual Malaysia-Netherlands Semiconductor Dialogue to review joint projects, share market and policy updates, and coordinate efforts in skills training, research and technology exchange.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s assembly, testing and packaging while also moving up the value chain by leveraging the Netherlands’ expertise in high-end chip-related manufacturing,” Tengku Zafrul said on the tie-up.
The cooperation comes as governments worldwide look to diversify supply chains and stay competitive amid rapid technological change.
It also ties in with Malaysia’s National Semiconductor Strategy.
