Indonesia has called for stronger cooperation among ASEAN countries through the development of an ASEAN Semiconductor Roadmap. Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri raised the proposal at the 58th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Metro Manila on September 19.
The roadmap is one of the Priority Economic Deliverables under the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship. ASEAN member states are still working to finalise it.
Indonesia said the roadmap could strengthen the region’s semiconductor ecosystem and improve ASEAN’s position in global supply chains. Jakarta also called for greater involvement from universities in semiconductor research and stronger infrastructure to support supplies of critical minerals used in chip manufacturing.
Indonesia also proposed greater investment complementarity among ASEAN countries. It called for harmonising investment incentives to reduce excessive competition between member states seeking semiconductor investment.
The proposal comes as Southeast Asian countries seek to expand their roles in global semiconductor supply chains. Indonesia has argued that regional cooperation can allow countries to build on their different industrial strengths rather than compete for the same investments.
The ASEAN Semiconductor Roadmap remains under development alongside other economic initiatives. These include the Cross-Border Movement of Digital Workers and the ASEAN Centre of Excellence for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
Indonesia said stronger regional coordination would help develop a more connected semiconductor industry while improving ASEAN’s competitiveness in global markets.
