MALAYSIA and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the semiconductor sector, aimed at reinforcing global supply chain resilience and deepening bilateral technological collaboration.
The agreement was formalised in The Hague by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Vincent Karremans.
The initiative follows high-level discussions during the Dutch Prime Minister’s official visit to Kuala Lumpur in 2023 and aligns with Malaysia’s National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS).
The MoC establishes an Annual Bilateral Semiconductor Dialogue to coordinate efforts in talent development, research and development, and technology exchange. It also enables both countries to review progress, share policy insights, and adapt to evolving industry trends.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s assembly, testing and packaging capabilities, while also moving up the value chain by leveraging the Netherlands’ expertise in high-end chip-related manufacturing,” said Tengku Zafrul during the signing.
“By combining our unique strengths, we are confident that this collaboration will help enhance global supply chain security, while creating new opportunities for innovation and growth in the global semiconductor industry. Through the structured dialogue and joint initiatives, we aspire to build a resilient, future-proof semiconductor ecosystem that benefits both our nations and the global economy.”
The MoC comes at a time of heightened demand for semiconductor supply diversification, as countries seek to fortify their technology sectors against geopolitical and market uncertainty.
It further supports Malaysia’s goals under the NSS, which targets RM500 billion in investments, the creation of high-value homegrown companies, and the training of 60,000 engineers by 2030.
The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said the agreement reinforces Malaysia’s position as a key player in global supply chains and reflects its long-term commitment to sustainable, innovation-led economic growth. - Sept 6, 2025
