As demand for higher transmission performance rises alongside the expansion of artificial intelligence and data centers, the 2026 Asia Photonics Expo (APE 2026), held in Singapore, underscored the deepening convergence between the semiconductor and photonics industries. Against this backdrop, DIGITIMES interviewed Sukumar Verma, managing director of Informa Markets Singapore, on development trends shaping the city-state's high-tech sector.
Government commitment powers sector growth
Verma said Singapore's stable political environment and strong government support have helped elevate the country to ninth place globally among technology hubs. Under the recently announced Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 (RIE 2030) plan, the Singapore government will invest S$37 billion (US$28.5 billion) between 2026 and 2030, positioning semiconductors and photonics as twin engines of national economic growth.
The research and development funding will focus on healthcare, manufacturing, and the digital economy, to attract more partnerships into Singapore's ecosystem, he said.
China-plus-one strategy gains traction
APE 2026 featured national pavilions from the US, Taiwan, Germany, and China, reflecting its growing international reach. Verma said the participation showed that the "China plus one" strategy has moved beyond rhetoric and into practice.
As geopolitical considerations and supply-chain diversification accelerate, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand are drawing foreign direct investment through the buildout of AI infrastructure. Singapore, he said, is increasingly serving as a gateway to Southeast Asia, linking regional supply chains with global markets.
Photonics integration addresses data bottlenecks
To address data transmission bottlenecks, APE 2026 highlighted the integration of silicon photonics and photonic integrated circuits. Verma said the spread of AI infrastructure and 5G and 6G networks has driven unprecedented requirements for speed, security and energy efficiency.
A recent example is GlobalFoundries' acquisition of Singapore-based photonics firm Advanced Micro Foundry, which he said signaled the formal convergence of the semiconductor and photonics sectors.
Talent mobility strengthens regional ties
On talent flows, Verma said global mobility has become a feature of the digital era. Singapore is not concerned about talent outflows, he said, but is instead focused on strengthening its value proposition and deepening cooperation with companies from China and Taiwan.
APE's expanding role
As APE enters its third edition, the expansion of its scale and international profile shows that photonics technologies are no longer confined to traditional optics, Verma said. They are becoming a core force in the next phase of semiconductor evolution, adding momentum to Asia's technology landscape.
Verma has extensive experience in strategic business planning, market expansion and product development for business-to-business trade exhibitions. He also serves as vice chairman for industry and corporate affairs at the Singapore Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) and is co-chair of the Singapore MICE Sustainability Steering Committee, an initiative led by the Singapore Tourism Board.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
