Singapore is reinforcing its role as a neutral semiconductor hub while urging Southeast Asian nations to integrate their supply chains, as complex US export controls overtake tariffs as the region's primary business challenge, according to Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA) Executive Director Ang Wee Seng
Taiwan's auto market is heading into 2025 weighed down by a mix of political and economic uncertainties. Major carmakers have already trimmed their full-year forecasts, now expecting total sales of roughly 400,000 vehicles—well below the 450,000 units sold in 2024. Yet despite the muted outlook, suppliers in the domestic automotive chain say the next five years could mark the start of a new boom for locally manufactured vehicles, driven by an influx of new models and a renewed push for localization
AppWorks Accelerator #31 held a joint Demo Day event on December 2, 2025, with Wistron Accelerator #9 and Indonesia's Telkomsel-backed TINC Batch X, showcasing startups that reflect Asia's evolving AI landscape. About 35% of the participating teams have surpassed US$1 million in annual revenue
AmBank Group has provided MYR350 million (approx. US$84.74 million) in financing to Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd to support the development of Malaysia's digital infrastructure, including its second 5G network. The funding is intended to advance Malaysia's digital transformation and encourage further foreign investment by offering tailored financing solutions, according to Bernama
Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) officially established its Malaysia subsidiary, Chunghwa Telecom Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., on December 1. CHT chairman Chih-Cheng Chien said during a digital empowerment conference on December 2 that the latest move in Malaysia follows Taiwanese supply chain expansion and focuses on ICT and cloud network demands from local Taiwanese businesses and multinational corporations
Tencent has officially inaugurated its Kuala Lumpur office, underscoring its growing commitment to Malaysia's digital market and talent pool, according to reports from The Edge Malaysia and Bernama. The new facility is expected to house around 500 employees and aims to establish Kuala Lumpur as one of Tencent's key global hubs
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has raised concerns regarding Malaysia's recent trade agreement with the US, prompting Kuala Lumpur to provide detailed clarifications. Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Zafrul Aziz, confirmed that a delegation met with Chinese officials to explain the terms and assure Beijing that the pact would not harm Sino-Malaysian trade relations
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on December 1, 2025, where Anwar announced an additional investment of MYR860 million (approx. US$208 million) to strengthen Malaysia's position in the semiconductor packaging and testing market
Samsung Electro-Mechanics is set to increase its AI server multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) production by expanding capacity at its Calamba City plant in the Philippines starting early 2026, as utilization rates at its current factories approach full capacity. This expansion aims to support the growing demand in the AI supply chain
Alibaba Group's open-source Qwen model, recognized as a key player in the AI market, now forms the foundation of Singapore's large language model (LLM) SEA-LION. The latest version, Qwen-SEA-LION-v4, is based on Qwen3-32B
Samsung Display (SDC) is preparing to reposition Vietnam's Bac Ninh Province as a core base for its next-generation OLED business under a plan that shifts the facility from a general production site to a center for high-value display technologies. The blueprint was outlined during a November 24 meeting between Bac Ninh People's Committee chairman Pham Hoang Son and SDC Vietnam executive director Kang Ui-sik, according to local outlet Cafe Land and Korean media G-enews
Taiwan's recent passage of amendments to three laws has sparked significant concern among energy companies about solar power development in the country. Industry players worry the new regulations will deter investors and further delay large-scale PV power projects. Adding to the challenges, newly established private gas power companies Chung Chia Power (CCP) and Jiu-Wei Power are canceling projects amid local opposition
The Philippines is rapidly advancing its green energy infrastructure to meet rising electricity demand driven by economic growth and data center expansion. Taiwanese energy companies highlight the Philippines' abundant sunlight and low land costs as key advantages, with strong government support for solar power, waste-to-energy (W2E), hydropower, and energy storage sectors presenting new opportunities for foreign investors
TSMC's plan to reactivate its 6-inch and 8-inch fabs at Hsinchu Science Park has drawn strong attention from the semiconductor supply chain, according to industry sources. Although the TSMC-certified tools are old, they still meet stable quality standards and represent major orders in the second-hand equipment market
