Malaysia is currently the world’s sixth-largest exporter of microchips, accounting for approximately 13% of the global market in chip packaging, assembly, and testing operations.
Anwar Ibrahim shared on his Facebook page on Monday evening that he had earlier met with Intel CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, and indicated that Intel’s decision to invest was “based on confidence in the country’s long-term plans.”
Anwar Ibrahim also stated that “Intel has announced an additional investment of RM860 million ($208 million) to make Malaysia a center for its assembly and testing operations.”
It is worth noting that Intel announced in 2021 the allocation of $7 billion to build an advanced chip packaging plant in Penang, the country’s electronics hub.
Anwar confirmed yesterday, Monday, that the Penang plant is “99% complete,” and that the American company expressed its appreciation for the Malaysian government’s support.
The United States is the third-largest market for Malaysia’s semiconductor exports. According to the Minister of Trade, Malaysia exported electrical and electronic goods and products worth RM120 billion ($28 billion) to the United States last year, with nearly half of this amount related to chips. (Sky News)
