The Karnataka government this week hosted a high-level delegation from Penang state, Malaysia, in Bengaluru to explore collaboration in semiconductors, deep tech, skilling, and innovation. The meeting aimed to identify areas for a strategic partnership and assess the scope for a formal memorandum of understanding.
The delegation, led by Penang’s deputy CM II Jagdeep Singh Deo, met Karnataka’s IT and BT minister, Priyank Kharge, and senior officials of the electronics, IT and science and technology departments.
Officials discussed how Karnataka and Penang could align strengths across technology, talent and industrial development.
Discussions centred on combining Karnataka’s software, chip design and R&D capabilities with Penang’s electronics manufacturing and semiconductor ecosystem. Both sides agreed to narrow discussions to priority areas, including semiconductors, chip design, skilling and talent exchange, deep tech, space applications, and smart cities.
“Karnataka’s success has been built on strong, integrated ecosystems, education, skilling, startups, R&D, and industry working together at scale,” Kharge said. He added that structured skilling and talent corridors could help meet global demand for semiconductor talent.
The Penang delegation highlighted the Malaysian state’s role as a semiconductor hub with capabilities across materials, assembly, testing and manufacturing. Officials noted a growing demand for advanced semiconductor and integrated circuit design skills, with Karnataka’s large pool of chip design engineers able to support collaboration.
The talks also covered cooperation in space technologies, including satellite-based telecom, disaster management, and environmental monitoring. Karnataka officials outlined opportunities within the state’s private space ecosystem, working alongside ISRO.
Both sides discussed joint skilling and certification programmes, academic and industry partnerships, and talent exchange initiatives. The Karnataka government proposed using its Global Innovation Alliance platform—its technology diplomacy initiative—to enable startup exchanges, co-funded projects, and institutional collaboration in the semiconductors and electronics sectors.
The Penang delegation also expressed interest in progressing discussions towards a formal MoU to institutionalise cooperation between the two regions.
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