KUCHING, 4 Sept: Sarawak is firmly on track to establish a complete semiconductor ecosystem by 2030 with the rollout of the Sarawak Semiconductor Roadmap 2030.

Chairman of SMD Semiconductor Sdn Bhd, Dato Sri Dr. Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, said the roadmap is guided by three main principles, building on Sarawak’s existing strengths, strengthening collaboration between industry and academia, and being driven by global market demand.

“This roadmap is built on SMD’s Beyond Moore’s Law Roadmap, which forms the basis for the Sarawak Semiconductor Roadmap 2030.

“It is aligned with the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) as well as other state blueprints such as the Energy Transition Roadmap, the Gas Roadmap and the Digital Economy Action Plan.

“With this roadmap, we are working towards a complete semiconductor ecosystem by 2030, supported by talent development through 10 strategic measures.

“It positions Sarawak as a regional gateway for semiconductors, capitalising on Asia’s fast-growing demand in electric vehicles (EVs), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, renewable energy, aerospace and consumer electronics,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after briefing Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, on the findings of the SMD Semiconductor Lab at the Satria Pertiwi Complex here on Thursday.

The Sarawak Financial Secretary added that the roadmap is expected to contribute RM30 billion to Sarawak’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, in line with the state’s target of RM282 billion.

It will also boost the manufacturing sector’s output from RM35 billion to RM82 billion, create 3,000 high-skilled semiconductor jobs and attract RM2 billion in new related investments.

Dato Sri Dr. Wan Lizozman explained that the roadmap will be implemented through 14 strategic thrusts and about 34 projects and initiatives under four focus areas - the industrial value chain, talent ecosystem, innovation, research and technology leadership, and sustainability.

Meanwhile, SMD Semiconductor Chief Executive Officer, Shariman Jamil, said the roadmap is now in its second phase after successfully completing the first phase, which focused on foundations and talent development over the past two years.

“When SMD was first established two years ago, we were no longer at the study stage. At that time, we had already laid the groundwork and started building the talent pipeline.

“Now, the roadmap has entered its second phase and will later move into the third. We are making steady progress and will continue along this path over the next five to six years,” he said. -UKASnews