This is a promotional booth of Samsung Electronics at this year's Semiconductor Exhibition that ran from Oct. 22-24 at COEX Mall in Seoul's Gangnam-gu District. (Samsung Electronics)

By Park Hye Ri

Government officials and business leaders from six of the world's top semiconductor-producing nations including Korea, the U.S., and Taiwan are discussing in Busan issues related to the industry and opportunities for cooperation.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources on Nov. 4 began hosting the three-day Government-Authorities Meeting on Semiconductors (GAMS) in Busan.

GAMS is a forum launched in 1999 by Korea, the U.S., Japan and the European Union. It was expanded to six countries with the addition of Taiwan in 2000 and China in 2006 as associate members.

Chaired by Korea, this year's meeting will cover trends in semiconductor policy, environmental regulations, revisions to Harmonized System codes for chip-related export items and copyright protection. Talks will focus on the results of the activities of the World Semiconductor Council and policy related to these areas.

Bilateral consultations among the six member countries will see participants sharing views and holding in-depth discussions on critical issues.

"The stabilization of the semiconductor supply chain is more important than ever due to surging demand for global semiconductors caused by the rapid development of the artificial intelligence industry," Choi Woo-hyuk, the ministry's director general for high technology industry, said in his keynote speech. "As the chair country, we will do our best to develop close cooperation among key member countries."

hrhr@korea.kr