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2023 Malaysian Six-State Election featured diverse candidates and high voter turnout. Post-election policies may impact electronic industry growth, foreign investment, and innovation initiatives. Stable government expected to drive progress in the sector.
 

The Indian government has imposed restrictions on the import of personal computers, laptops, and other electronics to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on China. More than 75% of India's laptop imports were from China, prompting this move. The restrictions are part of the government's effort to promote local production and align with the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for IT hardware. While the move is expected to benefit the Indian electronics industry, it may impact companies like Apple and Samsung. Imports for research and development and other specific purposes will be exempted from licensing requirements. China currently holds a significant share in the restricted import categories.

Chinese battery materials companies are investing heavily in South Korea to qualify for US EV subsidies. The IRA battery production subsidies provide up to 30% to produce batteries and battery components in the US, but battery materials made in China do not qualify. This has led to $4.4 billion in investments from Chinese companies in South Korea. The investment is a major boost for the South Korean battery industry and is likely to have a significant impact on the global battery market.

Vietnam's Electric Vehicle (EV) industry faces challenges like high costs, limited charging infrastructure, and a scarcity of locally-made options. Despite these obstacles, the sector benefits from increasing demand, governmental support, and strong manufacturing capabilities. As of August 2023, the industry looks poised for growth, but addressing affordability, infrastructure, and domestic production will be pivotal for realizing its potential.

The power management industry in Vietnam is witnessing a rising demand for Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based solutions due to their superior efficiency and faster switching speeds compared to traditional silicon-based alternatives. This surge in demand, observed in August 2023, is primarily driven by the adoption of GaN-based power converters in sectors such as electric vehicles, data centers, industrial automation, and medical devices. Market research suggests that this shift towards GaN technology aligns with Vietnam's push for technological advancement and energy efficiency.

ON Semiconductor forecasts strong Q3 revenue on SiC technology and automotive demand. Positive Q2 performance and expansion plans indicate a solid position in the semiconductor market.

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has released a study that finds the United States faces a significant shortage of skilled workers in the semiconductor industry. The study projects that the U.S. will need an additional 67,000 workers in the semiconductor industry by 2030, but that the current pipeline of graduates will only produce 58% of those workers. This shortage is expected to have a significant impact on the U.S. economy, as the semiconductor industry is a major driver of innovation and economic growth.

The U.S. Departments of Commerce and Defense have expanded their collaboration to strengthen the semiconductor defense industrial base. The agreement will increase information sharing between the two departments and facilitate close coordination on the CHIPS for America's incentives program. The agreement is likely to have several positive implications for the semiconductor market, including lower prices for semiconductor chips, increased investment in research and development, and a stronger U.S. semiconductor industry. These benefits are likely to benefit a wide range of industries and help to protect U.S. national security.

Automobile production and sales in China increased in June 2023, but year-on-year growth rates were lower than those in May. The halving of the purchase tax on gasoline vehicles in June 2022 had a significant impact on the automobile industry, leading to a surge in demand for gasoline vehicles. The market share of new energy vehicles in China is gradually increasing, reaching 14.7% in June 2023.

The IoT market is growing rapidly and is expected to reach $1 trillion in 2026. The manufacturing, utilities, and retail industries are the leading sectors for IoT investment, and the use cases that are expected to see the fastest growth are those that are focused on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing customer satisfaction.