KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) organised an International Sourcing Programme (INSP) on May 6 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), held in conjunction with SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026.
The programme was organised in collaboration with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA), underscoring a coordinated strategic effort to deepen supply chain integration, foster global partnerships and strengthen Malaysia’s position in the global electrical and electronics (E&E) and semiconductor ecosystem.
The INSP brought together 14 international buyers from 12 economies – Austria, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Türkiye, the United States of America and Viet Nam. A total of 49 Malaysian companies participated in 105 pre-arranged business meetings, conducted both physically and virtually, resulting in sales leads and potential export opportunities worth RM126.42 million, while fostering new partnerships and strengthening existing business linkages.
Participating buyers represent key segments across the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing value chain, including integrated device manufacturers, outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) providers, aerospace companies and renewable energy developers. Among the sourcing requirements highlighted included precision parts and components, factory automation solutions, printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA), cables and wire harness, Automated Test Equipment (ATE) and parts suppliers, system integrators, as well as cleanroom solutions and consumables including garments, smocks, Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) bags and gloves.
According to MATRADE’s Chief Executive Officer, Abu Bakar Yusof, the agency has assumed a pivotal role in advancing the export growth of Malaysia’s semiconductor worldwide. “For the past decade, MATRADE has organised the INSP in conjunction with SEMICON Southeast Asia, successfully connecting 327 SMEs with 51 international buyers from 19 economies for a wide range of E&E products and services, generating nearly RM 1 billion worth of export sales. Through initiatives such as INSP, MATRADE continues to bridge business linkages and provide Malaysian companies with strategic promotional platforms to expand their global footprint” he said.
Malaysia’s E&E sector remains the backbone of the country’s manufacturing exports, contributing 44.3 per cent of total exports in 2025, valued at RM711.44 billion, representing an almost 29-fold increase over a 35-year period. Notably, the period from 2015 to 2025 alone accounted for a large share of this increase, with exports more than doubling, indicating an acceleration in growth in the most recent decade. Semiconductor devices, integrated circuits (ICs), transistors and valves continue to dominate E&E exports, accounting for 65.4 per cent share valued at RM465.62 billion last year. Malaysia is currently ranked among the top global exporters of E&E products and remains a key player in the global semiconductor ecosystem, particularly in the OSAT segment.
Initiatives such as the INSP are integral to sustaining this upward trajectory. Beyond supporting Malaysia’s aspiration to achieve RM1 trillion in E&E exports by 2030, the programme is expected to generate meaningful economic spillovers—facilitating technology transfer, strengthening domestic supply chains and enhancing SME participation in high-value activities. This, in turn, contributes to job creation, increased investment inflows and greater value-added across the industry, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a resilient and competitive hub in the global E&E landscape. —MATRADE
