Sarawak makes pitch for high-tech investment

SINGAPORE: Sarawak promoted investment in its semiconductor and advanced technology industries, highlighting opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing and clean-energy technologies at Invest Malaysia Day 2026.

Held at the Grand Hyatt Singapore on Oct 22, the event featured the joint participation of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS) and SMD Semiconductor to showcase the state’s potential in high-technology industries.

Organised by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) in partnership with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and CIMB, the event brought together business leaders, investors and investment promotion agencies to explore investment opportunities across Malaysia.

SMD Semiconductor Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Datuk Shariman Jamil highlighted potential areas for collaboration with investors, technology providers and industry partners during his sharing session, Beyond Energy: Sarawak’s Next Frontier in Semiconductors and High Value Industries.

“These include AI infrastructure and data centres, renewable energy systems, smart metering, battery energy storage systems (BESS), inverters and solid-state transformers,” said STATOS in a statement issued on Tuesday (Oct 27).

He also outlined opportunities across the semiconductor value chain, from chip design and technology development to system integration, commercialisation and ASEAN market expansion.

During the session, Shariman presented keteq.GaN, Sarawak’s first locally designed gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductor chip, showcasing SMD’s growing capabilities in semiconductor design and intelligent power technologies.

Meanwhile, STATOS chief executive officer Chew Chang Guan and senior manager for trade and investment Tan Teng Cheng shared Sarawak’s investment proposition, outlining opportunities for Singapore-based companies and global industry partners to participate in the state’s growing industrial and semiconductor ecosystem.

STATOS’ participation aimed to strengthen business connections between Sarawak and Singapore, support investment promotion, encourage technology collaboration and create high-value employment opportunities.