LONDON: The selection of a semiconductor laboratory in the United Kingdom (UK) is seen as a strategic move to strengthen Sarawak's position in the global chain of high-tech industries.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the move would enable the state to collaborate with international players, thus expanding its research and development reach.

"We need to collaborate with other global players to expand our reach in the semiconductor field. From another aspect, the research results here could eventually lead to the establishment of a foundry in Sarawak itself," he said.

He said this at a press conference after launching the keteq.GaN and keteq.ai power converters in conjunction with the Microelectronics UK exhibition, here on Wednesday.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari added that Sarawak is fortunate to have investors and strategic partners such as X-FAB and Melexis, in addition to research support through Catapult UK.

He said that with new technologies such as keteq.GaN, Sarawak is able to develop a foundry with X-FAB in the state, thus opening up a wider space in the global value chain.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Premier also touched on the state government's move to take over MASwings (AirBorneo) which will provide air cargo services to strengthen the logistics chain.

“With the freighter service, we can send products to a market worth about US$3 billion. A lot of investment is currently concentrated in ASEAN, and that will be an off-taker for the chips produced.

"But we need to design chips that are in line with the current industry needs, especially the automotive sector," he explained.

He further explained that the global transition from fossil fuels to green energy, including hydrogen, will drive the need for new chips.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier and Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Works, Dato’ Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, and Sarawak Financial Secretary, Dato Sri Dr. Wan Lizozman Wan Omar.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Utility (Sarawak Energy and Petros), Dato Ibrahim Baki, Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapaee, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Dato Sri Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SMD Semiconductor, Shariman Jamil, and CSA Catapult CEO, Raj Gawera. -UKASnews