Chin Tong Liew, Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), has acknowledged that the US restrictions on artificial intelligence (AI) chip exports, set to take effect in January 2025, will pose challenges for the country's AI data center development. However, he emphasized that the overall data center ecosystem in Malaysia will remain largely unaffected
Foxconn, through its subsidiary New Wing Interconnect Technology (Bac Giang), has acquired a 25% stake in Goertek Electronics Vietnam for US$50 million, announcing the deal on the evening of February 21. Foxconn stated that the investment is primarily strategic
Singapore will invest an additional SGD3 billion (US$2.23 billion) into its National Productivity Fund (NPF) and allocate SGD1 billion to upgrade biomedical research centers and build semiconductor research infrastructure, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong announced in the 2025 fiscal budget
Singapore-based electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider Venture Corporation posted sales of SGD2.7 billion (approx. US$2.05 billion) for fiscal 2024, marking a 9.6% decline from the previous year. Net profit fell 9.3% year-over-year to SGD245 million, though the profit margin grew to 9% from 8.9% in 2023
Nissan has dismissed speculation that it plans to shut down its factory in Thailand, reaffirming the country's role as a key manufacturing hub in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The company also expressed its commitment to supporting the Thailand government's transitioning projects to electric vehicles (EVs)
Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, has inaugurated its second data center in Thailand, expanding its infrastructure to meet the rising demand for cloud services and generative artificial intelligence (AI). The expansion aligns with Thailand's digital innovation and sustainability goals. According to The Nation, this development represents a significant expansion of Alibaba Cloud's footprint in Southeast Asia
Major Taiwanese printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers are actively investing in setting up facilities in Southeast Asia due to the region's geopolitical considerations, rising demand for servers, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as investment incentives. Topoint Technology and Aurona, two providers of related consumables and equipment, are following suit, looking for fresh contracts as additional plants are anticipated to start production in 2025
With the global semiconductor market projected to exceed US$1 trillion within the next decade, IC packaging and testing leader ASE is accelerating its overseas expansion. The company's fifth factory in Penang, Malaysia, officially opened on February 18, 2025
Global packaging and testing leader ASE Technology Holdings (ASE) expects total capital expenditure (capex) for the year to grow significantly by over 60%, primarily allocated for expanding advanced packaging and testing capacities. Notably, ASE's new plant in Malaysia is set to officially commence operations soon, which is expected to further contribute to revenue growth in its packaging and testing business
According to Nikkei Asia, Apple is currently in discussions with its suppliers to potentially assemble iPhones in Indonesia. This move would be significant for the Indonesian government, which has been keen on securing larger investments from the tech company in exchange for access to its market
Vietnam's government has met with senior executives from Samsung Electronics to discuss the company's expansion plans in the country, including strengthening its supply chain and accelerating efforts in artificial intelligence (AI)
Canalys reported on February 11, 2025, that Southeast Asia's smartphone market rebounded in 2024, growing 11% year-over-year after two years of decline, with 96.7 million units shipped. Oppo led the market for the first time with an 18% share, followed closely by Samsung Electronics (Samsung) (17%), while Transsion and Xiaomi shared third place (16%), and Vivo rounded out the top five (13%)
With the start of the Trump 2.0 administration, the global PCB industry is preparing for changes, especially in Southeast Asia's competitive environment. China's PCB sector is expected to grow rapidly in 2024, reflecting a wider investment trend in Thailand. This situation offers challenges and opportunities for Taiwanese manufacturers
Under pressure from the Trump administration, Panama has exited China's Belt and Road Initiative, even as Southeast Asian nations move to deepen their supply chain ties with China in a bid to strengthen their US negotiating position
