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70 SMT007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2026 For the Global Electronics Association, APEX EXPO provides an important platform to reflect on recent progress across India and Southeast Asia and to advance collaboration with global industry stakeholders. Rapid manufacturing expansion, sustained workforce development, and growing alignment with global standards are reshaping how the region engages with interna- tional supply chains. India: Membership and Certification Growth One of the strongest indicators of India's growing influence within the global electronics ecosystem is the consistent rise in Association membership and certification adoption. Over the past three years, India has recorded steady, year-on-year member- ship growth, reflecting deeper engage- ment from OEMs, EMS companies, PCB manufacturers, solution providers, and design organizations. Membership in India increased from 183 organizations in 2023 to 263 in 2025, reaching 272 members as of Janu- ary 2026. This sustained upward trend signals a maturing electronics ecosystem that increasingly values standardization, process discipline, and Regional Exchange and Industry Connectivity: East Asia Member Networking Dinner The East Asia team will host a member networking dinner on March 16, with an expected attendance of approximately 40 senior executives and technical and standards leaders from companies across the region. The dinner will provide a face-to-face plat- form for exhibiting companies to exchange insights, foster standards-related discussions, and explore project collaboration opportunities. Expected Outcomes of APEX EXPO 2026 By participating in scheduled technical committee meetings and forums, visiting exhibition areas, and engaging directly with exhibitors, the team aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest developments and industry needs in advanced packaging, digital connectivity, and sustainabil- ity within global electronics manufacturing, while building connections with international experts and industry partners. Following the event, the team will consolidate key insights and potential collaboration leads into actionable follow-up lists and engagement plans to support subsequent customer service, partnership development, and regional coordination. India and Southeast Asia at APEX EXPO 2026 Strengthening Electronics Through Skills, Standards, and Collaboration BY ARPITA DAS, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, GLOBAL ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION INDIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA global best practices. Workforce certification has also become a defin- ing pillar of India's electronics manufacturing land- scape. India has recorded more than 20,000 certi- fications across electronics assembly, PCB design, inspection, reliability, and quality disciplines, plac- ing India among the most active regions globally for standards-based workforce development. For manufacturers, certifications are no longer viewed as a compliance requirement alone, but as a strategic enabler supporting export readi- ness, improving manufacturing consistency, and strengthening credibility with global customers. At APEX EXPO, the India team looks forward to engaging with global peers on how certi- fication-led skill development is support- ing India's transition toward higher-reli- ability and more advanced electronics manufacturing. India: IEMI 2026 as a Demonstration of Industry Momentum India's growing role in the global elec- tronics ecosystem was recently reinforced through Integrated Electronics Manufacturing and Intercon- nections (IEMI) 2026 in Bengaluru. As our flagship platform in South Asia, IEMI 2026 is a high-impact A r p i t a D a s