According to LCD TV and monitor ODM Amtran Technology, operating in Vietnam since 2018, the firm plans to launch the third phase of mass production at its Vietnamese plant in the second half of this year. In addition, the company's 2024 performance is expected to benefit from major sporting events and the FTAs (free trade agreements) Vietnam has with various regions.

Austria Technologie & Sytemtechnik (AT&S), one of the world's biggest PCB and IC substrate makers, opened its first new IC substrate plant in Kulim, Malaysia, on January 24. The company aims to begin high-end IC substrate deliveries for the data processors of AMD, one of its biggest customers, by the end of this year.

As geopolitical concerns rise, many backend companies have chosen Malaysia as a new base for plant expansions, according to industry sources.

Global server shipments are expected to rebound in 2024 after a decline in the previous year, according to market sources.

Thanks to rising production and exports by Apple suppliers, India continued to witness surging electronics exports, and the export momentum is expected to remain.

Apple's no. 2 supplier, Pegatron, has faced challenges on multiple fronts, with an oversaturated smartphone market, recent iPhones being criticized for lacking innovation, and increasing encroachment from China-based Luxshare Precision. As Apple's halo fades, Taiwan-based OEMs have been seeking new opportunities. Pegatron's ventures into new businesses and markets show the agility that Taiwan-based OEMS have gained from years of experience in the field.

With TSMC and ASE Holdings (ASEH) gearing up to build additional fab capacities for advanced packaging, relevant supply chain participants are optimistic about growth driven by their development plans, according to industry sources.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) recently disclosed its overseas expansion progress and plans in its earnings report conference on January 18 and expressed interest in building a second fab in Japan. Surprisingly, supply chain sources said TSMC's success in Japan has inspired Singapore to pitch even better incentives to attract investments from TSMC.

In December, Pegatron surprised the market by yielding control of its Kunshan subsidiary to China-based Luxshare. Pegatron said it was a collaborative decision with its customers, and the company's diversification across geographies is pacing up.

Samsung Electronics unveiled its latest flagship smartphone, the S24 series, which features on-device AI capabilities. Samsung praised the contribution of the Indian R&D team to the smartphone and confirmed local production of the device.

Thailand's electric vehicle sales may double this year as Chinese manufacturers prepare to roll out their first locally manufactured models and about $2.4 billion in government incentives boosts consumer demand.

Near-term IC substrate market conditions remain unclear, with one of the suppliers, Kinsus Interconnect Technology, showing no rush to finalize its overseas capacity expansion plans.

India is bound to be a strategic partner for the United States in terms of demographics, domestic market, software talents, and national strategy.

As India and Indonesia become Asia Pacific focus markets for Acer, the company will increase local manufacturing in the two regions, according to Acer's president of Pan-Asia Pacific operations Andrew Hou. For the Indian market, Acer plans to outsource the production of large smart displays and servers, while Indonesia will see a doubling of assembly capacity.

As TSMC expands its fabs internationally, others in Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain are also working together to extend their presence to other countries, seeking to support the number-one pure-play foundry house's overseas projects and international customers.