TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 17 (Bernama) -- MIMOS Berhad, Malaysia’s premier innovation centre under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), has cemented a significant milestone by spearheading a strategic initiative to catalyse the growth of Uzbekistan’s Electrical & Electronics (E&E) and semiconductor industry. This milestone was marked by the signing of a landmark tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and Uzeltexsanoat (UzETS) during the prestigious International Investment Forum in Tashkent on 13 June 2025.
The MoU, attended by Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, His Excellency Jamshid Kuchkarov, various Uzbekistan cabinet ministers and scientific fraternities, was signed by His Excellency Khurshed Mustafaev (Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy), Mr Mirziyod Yusonov (Chairman of UzETS), and Dr Saat Shukri Embong (Acting President and Group Chief Executive Officer of MIMOS Berhad).
This MoU aims to elevate Uzbekistan’s E&E sector and position the country as a key player in the region and as the global semiconductor supply chain within a decade. The collaboration will focus on accelerating talent development, expanding R&D capabilities, and fostering innovation and product commercialisation. The effort is underpinned by MIMOS’ proven expertise, world-class facilities, and its extended network of Malaysian ecosystem partners, leveraging existing institutional knowledge, capabilities and capacities.
Key thrusts of the MoU include:
· Comprehensive Talent Development Programme: MIMOS will lead in providing training and on-the-job training (OJT) platforms and coordinate with its industry partners to offer extended training across the semiconductor value chain, including IC design, wafer fabrication, testing, and packaging.
· Knowledge and Technology Transfer: Through structured programmes, MIMOS will support Uzbekistan in establishing its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities within five years.
· Commercialisation Platform: A dedicated platform will be established between MIMOS and UzETS to explore the development and commercialisation of new semiconductor products, tailored to meet both local and regional demand across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Central Asia, and the Middle East.
· Strategic Ecosystem Planning: The initiative will also include a business and market study of Uzbekistan’s E&E needs, laying the groundwork for a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that will transition into a commercial joint venture to lead Uzbekistan’s national E&E masterplan.
This landmark collaboration represents more than just industrial advancement; it reflects Malaysia’s deepening role as a trusted global innovation partner. It exemplifies the values enshrined in the MADANI framework, particularly Kesejahteraan (Well-being), Kehormatan (Respect), and Kepercayaan (Trust). By contributing to the development of a comprehensive E&E ecosystem in Uzbekistan, Malaysia is playing a vital role in elevating the well-being of a fellow developing nation through inclusive, sustainable growth.
The partnership also demonstrates mutual respect by recognising and strengthening Uzbekistan’s local capabilities while sharing Malaysian technological expertise. Most importantly, it fosters trust, both between governments and industries, as the collaboration is built on transparency, shared goals, and long-term engagement. Through this, Malaysia strengthens diplomatic ties with Uzbekistan and also reinforces its international standing as a nation committed to progress through cooperation, innovation, and compassion.
The collaboration with Uzbekistan also brings significant strategic value to Malaysia’s technology sector and economy. By exporting technical know-how, intellectual property, and training services, MIMOS and its ecosystem partners gain access to a new, untapped market in Central Asia, opening avenues for cross-border joint ventures, manufacturing contracts, and research collaborations. Malaysian SMEs and industry players within the semiconductor value chain will be well-positioned to capitalise on demand for high-value services and products as Uzbekistan builds its technological infrastructure.
This initiative enhances Malaysia’s global profile as a semiconductor and deep- tech innovation hub, supporting the nation’s aspirations to lead in future- oriented industries. Additionally, it generates economic spillover, creating new jobs, fostering skills development, and boosting technology exports, which in turn contribute to national income and the strengthening of Malaysia’s innovation-led economy.
"At MIMOS, we are driven by a vision of technological excellence," said Dr Saat Shukri Embong, Acting President and Group Chief Executive Officer of MIMOS Berhad. "This strategic alliance with Uzeltexsanoat allows us to share our expertise and world-class facilities, empowering Uzbekistan to rapidly advance its semiconductor industry while solidifying Malaysia's position as a global leader in this crucial sector.”
“Driven by a vision of global innovation and collaboration, this alliance enables MIMOS to export its expertise and ecosystem model to Uzbekistan,” said Dr Saat Shukri Embong. “Our mission is to help build a self-sustaining E&E ecosystem here, from talent to technology to market access, so that Uzbekistan can emerge as a regional leader in the semiconductor domain.”
His Excellency Jamshid Kuchkarov, in his remarks during the MoU briefing session, commended the collaboration and noted that Uzbekistan’s E&E journey need not start from scratch, as MIMOS’ assessment and engagement offered a strategic launchpad for the country’s ambitions.
The MIMOS delegation also engaged with several major E&E stakeholders in Uzbekistan to assess the local industry landscape. The team, which included Malaysian partners SensoremTek and Narico Enterprise, visited companies such as Artel and UzAuto, as well as government and research institutions and organisations, including O'zbekiston Respublikasi Mudofaa Vazirligi Huzuridagi Mudofaa Sanoati Agentligi, Arifov Ion-Plasma, Uzbekistan TechnoPark, ITPark Uzbekistan, and FOTON JSC, a recently privatised state-owned electronics manufacturer in Tashkent.
This dynamic cooperation exemplifies Malaysia’s commitment to nurturing international technological partnerships and reinforces MIMOS’ role in shaping the global semiconductor and innovation landscape.
About MIMOS Berhad
MIMOS is a strategic agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and a premier innovation centre in Semiconductors, Microelectronics, and ICT technologies, contributing to Malaysia’s socio-economic growth through patentable technology platforms, products, and solutions. Since its inception, MIMOS has filed 2,000 patents in various technology domains and across key socio-economic areas driving Malaysia’s digital transformation journey into the international arena.
As a centre of research excellence, MIMOS R&D activities currently focus on Semiconductor & Thin Film Research, Advanced Electronics & Embedded Systems, as well as Manufacturing and Smart Nation technologies. MIMOS continuously enhance its collaborations with existing strategic partners, explores new opportunities with potential partners, and develops new technology companies and business-oriented technology venture organisations. MIMOS also maintains its R&D of advanced technology, explores the development of global technopreneurship, and cultivates an attitude of trust, innovation and high performance.
