South-east Asia’s crucial technology supply chain has been hit by record levels of Covid-19 infections, a development that could exacerbate a global shortage of chips.
Malaysia and Vietnam, economies that play critical roles in producing electronics as well as packaging and testing components that go in everything from vehicles to smartphones, are facing their worst outbreaks since the pandemic began.
The situation threatens to further squeeze the global technology supply chain, particularly for products that require semiconductors. The chip sector has been slammed by the confluence of a worldwide shortage and surging demand as lockdowns restrict people to their homes.