09:25 – 09:55
Panel Discussion: Opportunities & Challenges Arising From the Changing Semiconductor Geopolitical Climate
Moderator
Kamel Ait Mahiout
Kamel Ait Mahiout is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in the electronics industry. His expertise spans from RF and Microwave engineering to executive roles in prominent companies such as Unity SC and Amkor Technology, where he significantly contributed to the growth and alignment of the businesses with key industry players.
Panelist
Wee Seng Ang
Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA)
With over two decades of experience in the semiconductor industry—ranging from fab start-ups and technology development to manufacturing and executive leadership—Wee Seng now helms the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA), where he drives talent development, business growth, and sustainable practices. He also serves on multiple advisory committees, including Singapore Polytechnic’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTU’s School of Materials Science and Engineering, Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific (ITAP), and Enterprise Singapore’s Smart Manufacturing and Environment & Resources Standards Technical Committees. Beyond the industry, Wee Seng is deeply committed to community outreach as a District Councillor with North East CDC. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Nanyang Technological University and a Master of Science in Management of Technology from the National University of Singapore.
Company Profile
Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA) is the voice of Singapore’s semiconductor industry and is committed to support this important sector in Singapore in order to facilitate substantial growth of the whole semiconductor economy of the country. SSIA brings together industry players, academia, and government agencies. Major activities focus on industry and talent outreach and continuing education, as well as to collectively address industry needs. SSIA is a platform for members to reach out to new business opportunities, industry alliances, and partners. It provides networking and relationship opportunities beyond the boundaries of Singapore. SSIA members today include companies and organizations throughout all parts of the complex and comprehensive value chain – IC design companies, Manufacturers, Fabless companies, Equipment suppliers, Photovoltaic and LED companies, EDA and material suppliers. Training and service providers, IP companies, Research institutes and Academia, as well as individual members.
Panelist
Dato’ Seri Siew Hai Wong
Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA)
Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai has 29 years of working experience in the electronics industry. He served Intel for most of his illustrious career and retired from Intel after 27 years of service. His last position with Intel was Vice President of Technology and Manufacturing Group (TMG) and General Manager of Assembly and Test Manufacturing (ATM), responsible for all assembly test factories worldwide. He also served as the Vice President and Managing Director of Dell’s Asia Pacific Customer Centre for approximately 2 years. Currently, Dato’ Seri Wong is involved in the electronics industry as Champion of the E&E Productivity Nexus (EEPN) and President of the newly formed Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA).
Panelist
Siobhan Das
American-Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM)
SIOBHAN DAS Chief Executive Officer American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Siobhan Das joined the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Malaysia) as its Executive Director in 2016 and was promoted in 2020 to become the organization’s first Chief Executive Officer in its 43 year history. Siobhan has created an action-oriented policy platform at the Chamber that is designed to address both the strategic concerns of American multinational companies and the tactical day-to-day challenges faced by operations on the ground. By working closely with business leaders and various stakeholders in the Malaysian and U.S. governments, Siobhan has been able to represent the membership and ensure that AmCham Malaysia fulfills its role as the Voice of U.S. Businesses in Malaysia. Siobhan spent 11 years in Shanghai, five of which as a director at AmCham Shanghai. Siobhan is a Sloan Fellow from London Business School with a Masters in Leadership and Strategy; she also holds two undergraduate degrees from Boston University in Broadcasting and Film, and English. She enjoys golf and is still reveling in her first hole-in-one (2023)!
Company Profile
The American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) was founded in 1978 as an international, non-profit, private-sector business association. It comprises more than 1200 members representing about 290 American, Malaysian, and other international companies. The Chamber is a member of the AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) a non-governing association of 27 AmChams in the region that come together to support engagement in the Asia Pacific.
Panelist
Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja
MIDA
A Business Administration graduate from the University of Malaya, Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja joined Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in 1989 as an Assistant Director in the Food, Beverages and Chemical Division. Over the last 33 years he had served in the Strategic Planning and Policy Advocacy Division, Investment Promotion Division and Incentive Coordination and Collaboration Office (ICCO). Mr.Siva was posted to Germany twice to head MIDA’s office in Cologne (2006-2009) and Frankfurt (2013-2017). He was responsible to move MIDA’s office from Cologne to Frankfurt and to establish MIDA’s second office in Germany in Munich. As an overseas Director in Germany, Mr.Siva was responsible to attract foreign direct investments from Germany and the Benelux countries, namely Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Throughout most of his 33 years career with MIDA, Mr.Siva was involved in various projects on Malaysia’s industrial development, such as the 2nd and 3rd Industrial Master Plans (IMP), 8th-10th Malaysia Plans, equity liberalisation of the manufacturing sector, formulation of investment incentives and policies, and empowerment of MIDA. Mr.Siva was also responsible for the coordination of the Study on Exit Strategy for Foreign Labour Intensive Industries, formulation of policies and guidelines for the establishment of Domestic Investment Strategic Fund (DISF) to accelerate the shift of Malaysian-owned companies in high technology industries, as well as the establishment of One Stop Centre and Business Travellers Centre for Short Term Business Travellers during COVID 19 Pandemic. Mr.Siva was promoted as the Executive Director (Investment Promotion) on 1st November 2018 and moved to his current position as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Investment Promotion & Facilitation) effective 1st May 2021.
Company Profile
MIDA is the government’s principal investment promotion and development agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 21 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era.
