An assessment of the electronics industry in Southeast Asia

The electronics industry in Southeast Asia has developed significantly in the second half of the twentieth century, and now comprises a number of newly industrialized economies in addition to Japan. This paper surveys the current capability of the industry in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, mainland China, and Hong Kong. A simple benchmark of the integrated circuit fabrication sector in these countries shows that Taiwan leads in this sector, followed by Singapore and then mainland China. The electronics industry in mainland China appears to have the greatest scope for continued improvement in output, and product areas for future upgrade of the industry in the region are briefly considered.