Group photo from left to right: Mr Sam Kee, EDB; Mr Chang Chin Nam, EDB; Mr Wouter Rinia, Sioux Technologies; Ambassador Anneke Adema; Ms Julie Koh, SSIA; HE Liesje Schreinemacher, Minister Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation; Mr Gary Eves, NXP; Mr Soh Leng Wan, ESG; Mr Henk Jan Jonge Poerink, Besi APAX; Ms Wampie Libon, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr Paul Chia, Gallium Semiconductor; Mr Ang Wee Seng, SSIA; Ms Astrid Seegers, Netherlands Innovation Network
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Singapore and the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA) co-organised the Singapore and The Netherlands Semiconductor Forum on Friday the 2nd of December. The forum was a great success and attended by close to 100 participants from the semiconductor industry.
The event was opened by the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Ms Liesje Schreinemacher and Mr Soh Leng Wan, Assistant Chief Executive of Enterprise Singapore. It started with an overview of the sector and Singapore’s Electronics Transformation Map (ITM) 2025 specifically in the sphere of microelectronics and its long-term development goals, by Mr Sam Kee, Account Manager, Semiconductors at the Economic Development Board.
In her opening speech the Minister emphazised the important role both Singapore and the Netherlands play in the global value chain: “The semiconductor sector is very much a global sector that requires cross-border strategies and collaboration and in which Singapore and the Netherlands are key players. By working together our countries can maintain global value chains and expand our position in the sector.” And she provided examples of investments by and collaboration with the Dutch government: “The semiconductor sector is of significant value to our national economy. The Netherlands is building on its strengths in collaboration with European and global partners in areas such as equip- ment, integrated photonics, RF and chip design. By supporting public-private initiatives, such as the 470 million euros for PhotonDelta, the Netherlands aims to cement and expand its position.” The Minister concluded: “I’m glad we’re are able to bring our two countries closer together in this sector and pleased to see Dutch companies are already part of Singapore’s ecosystem and vice-versa. With this event we connect, increase our dialogue with the aim to strengthen our further cooperation.”
Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation HE Liesje Schreinemacher delivering her opening speech.
The plenary session concluded with a panel discussion consisting of industry leaders of NXP, Besi APAC, Sioux Technologies and Gallium Semiconductor. The panelists shared their vision on the future and recognized the journey of Singapore in expanding from manufacturing to R&D and innovation hub. The next generation semiconductors need better connection between engineering and innovation, for this collaboration with universities and research institutes is crucial, not only within national networks, but also between Singaporean and Dutch ecosystems.
Singapore and the Netherlands will continue the dialogue to find key areas for public-private collaboration and for growth of SME’s and multinationals venturing out into the European and South-east Asian region. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Singapore and Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA) will work closely together with the aim of expanding and building partnerships in this sector.
ABOUT THE EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS TO SINGAPORE
The team of the Netherlands embassy assist Dutch citizens and companies in Singapore as well as Singaporean companies who are interested in doing business with the Netherlands, as their gateway to Europe. The Netherlands has strong ties with Singapore, dating back to the 19th century. More than 1600 Dutch companies are active in Singapore, including many small and medium-sized companies. Besides trade focused activities, the Netherlands Innovation Network at the Netherlands Embassy in Singapore supports international cooperation between companies, research institutes and public authorities in the fields of innovation, technology and science, such as on next generation semiconductor.
Contributed by:
Yvonne Ng
Head of Marketing and Communications, SSIA
