Indonesia Urges ASEAN to Strengthen Regional Semiconductor Ecosystem

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia has called for stronger regional cooperation to develop the ASEAN semiconductor ecosystem through the advancement of the ASEAN Semiconductor Roadmap.

Indonesian Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri made the remarks during the 58th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, stressing that the roadmap would help strengthen the region’s semiconductor ecosystem and enhance ASEAN’s competitiveness in global supply chains.

According to the Deputy Minister, Indonesia, which has an industrial foundation relevant to global semiconductor supply chains, supports a number of strategic measures to reinforce the sector across ASEAN.

These include greater participation by academic institutions in semiconductor research, as well as strengthening supply-chain pillars and infrastructure for critical minerals required by the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

Indonesia has also advocated the application of investment complementarity and the harmonization of incentives among ASEAN member states. Such measures, Dyah said, would contribute to the development of a complementary regional industrial ecosystem while reducing the risk of excessive competition among ASEAN countries for semiconductor investment.

The ASEAN Semiconductor Roadmap is among the Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) under the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2026. ASEAN member states are currently working to finalize the roadmap, alongside other initiatives including the Cross-Border Movement of Digital Workers and the establishment of the ASEAN Centre of Excellence for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

Dyah also expressed Indonesia’s appreciation for progress in implementing the region’s economic priorities. One of the PEDs, “Driving Financial Health Forward: Unlocking the Next Frontier of Financial Inclusion,” has already been completed.

The efforts to strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem form part of ASEAN’s broader drive to build a more resilient and competitive regional economy amid continuing uncertainty in the global economic environment.