ASEAN in transformation: electrical and electronics: on and off the grid

This paper, 'ASEAN in transformation: electrical and electronics: on and off the grid', examines how technology is transforming the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The E&E sector is one of the region's most prominent sectors and a mainstay of economic growth, especially as the region moves up the value ladder in manufacturing and shifts away from low-cost production. ASEAN's diverse E&E activities, from high-tech design research and innovation to low-skilled assembling and packaging, make the region an attractive destination for manufacturing. The E&E industry is poised for growth due to technology trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT) but also likely to be significantly impacted by other disruptors such as additive manufacturing. ASEAN's E&E sector represents a key opportunity for the region as it becomes increasingly connected both directly and indirectly to every economic industry. However, as technology adoption increases and the skills needs of the sector shift, it becomes imperative to improve the skills pipeline to ensure that the industry in ASEAN can take advantage of the potential for growth. The findings from this paper are based on an in-depth sector study with more than 70 interviews and detailed case studies conducted across ASEAN mainly in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, supplemented by a separate study that examines technology trends and the relationship between China and ASEAN for the E&E sector.

Excerpts from publication. Show less